Labor Relations Specialist

Purpose: The Labor Relations Specialist is responsible for supporting and administering labor and employee relations programs that promote positive workplace relationships and compliance with applicable labor laws, collective bargaining agreements, and company policies. This role performs a broad range of responsibilities including employee relations investigations, grievance administration, labor relations support, conflict resolution, disciplinary process support, policy interpretation, and union-related matters.

Working closely with employees, supervisors, managers, union representatives, and cross-functional partners, the Labor Relations Specialist helps ensure fair and consistent application of workplace policies, effective resolution of employee concerns, and constructive labor-management relationships.

The role serves as a key resource for employee and labor relations matters while supporting a compliant, respectful, and productive work environment

Essential Duties:

• Support employee relations and labor relations activities to ensure consistent application of company policies, procedures, and workplace standards.
• Conduct and document workplace investigations involving employee complaints, policy violations, misconduct allegations, and other employee relations matters.
• Partner with managers to provide guidance regarding employee performance concerns, attendance issues, conduct matters, and corrective action processes.
• Assist in the administration and documentation of disciplinary actions, performance improvement plans, coaching discussions, and employee counseling activities.
• Interpret and communicate company policies, employment practices, and workplace expectations to managers and employees.
• Support conflict resolution efforts and facilitate effective communication between employees and management.
• Maintain investigation files, employee relations records, and supporting documentation in accordance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Assist with employee terminations, reductions in force, grievances, and other workforce actions as applicable.
• Support compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations related to employee and labor relations.
• Analyze employee relations trends and recommend improvements to workplace practices, employee engagement, and workforce effectiveness.
• Participate in employee relations training, policy communication, and workplace compliance initiatives.
• Collaborate with Human Resources leadership and business leaders to foster a respectful, compliant, and productive work environment.
• Interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and provide guidance to supervisors and managers regarding contractual requirements, established practices, and labor relations matters.
• Manage and support the grievance process, including investigating grievances, gathering relevant documentation, preparing management responses, tracking contractual timelines, and participating in grievance meetings with union representatives.
• Support arbitration matters by preparing case files, timelines, exhibits, disciplinary records, witness information, and other documentation necessary for arbitration proceedings.
• Partner with HR leadership, management, and legal counsel in developing and preparing the Company’s position on grievances, arbitration matters, and other labor relations issues.
• Participate in labor-management meetings and meetings with union representatives regarding workplace concerns, contract interpretation, grievances, and employee relations matters.
• Support collective bargaining negotiations by researching contract provisions, preparing bargaining materials and proposals, maintaining negotiation records, and assisting with information requests.