Professional Staffing is seeking an experienced Labour Relation Officer with at least 5 years of relevant experience. Based onsite 4 days a week in our client’s downtown location the ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of negotiating collective agreements, labour relations, and collective bargaining experience.
Responsibilities:
Negotiations and Labour Relations:
- Lead the strategic planning and execution of collective bargaining initiatives to align with operational goals.
- Serve as the chief negotiator during collective agreements, including responsibilities such as: acting as the primary spokesperson, researching industry trends and labor cost competitiveness, developing bargaining mandates in collaboration with business unit managers, executing contractual documents, and managing all related activities for collective bargaining.
- Represent the company in all regulatory matters related to labor/employee relations, human rights, and employment standards, including grievance arbitration, labor board applications, human rights complaints, and employment lawsuits.
- Interpret and provide summaries of all collective agreements.
Safety:
- Commit to fostering a safe work environment by actively supporting the organization’s safety objectives.
Coaching and Training:
- Design and implement management training programs focused on labor and employee relations to support HR strategies and operational objectives.
- Collaborate closely with senior management to offer value-driven advice on employee relations and general HR issues.
- Provide coaching and development opportunities for the Human Resources team.
Advice and Counsel:
- Support the HR team and Director of Operations by providing analytical research and expertise in compensation, labor market comparisons, and organizational planning.
- Offer guidance to line managers on terminations, including developing severance packages for approval and conducting exit interviews as required.
- Provide labor relations expertise in business development initiatives.
Investigation and Consequence Management:
- Conduct internal investigations in alignment with company policies.
- Advise operations management on consequence management processes.
- Oversee the employee termination process, ensuring compliance with provincial regulations, legal precedents, and collective agreements.
Specific Accountabilities
- Establish and maintain proactive relationships with employees, union representatives, and industry professionals in labor and employee relations.
- Develop bargaining strategies, act as the spokesperson in negotiations, and successfully conclude agreements in line with approved mandates.
- Implement proactive employee relations practices and training programs that align with operational goals and support human resource planning.
- Manage grievance arbitrations and legal matters, including human rights, employment standards, WCB discrimination, and privacy complaints.
- Support the HR team in delivering efficient, strategic HR services to business operations.
- Demonstrate ongoing commitment to a safe work environment.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Labor Relations or HR Management.
- 5-7 years of experience in labor relations.
- Proven experience in collective bargaining and employee relations management, with specific expertise in administering and negotiating collective agreements, preferably in a multi-union environment.
- Professional HR certification (e.g., CHRP, CHRL) is an asset.
- Strong knowledge of provincial and federal legislation, including the Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Code, Occupational Health & Safety Act, WSIB Act, AODA, and PIPEDA.
- Experience in the non-profit, public sector, or healthcare sectors is an asset.
- Ability to apply professional knowledge to update HR policies, manage disability/WSIB claims, and administer employee benefits and salary evaluation programs.
- Initiative and ability to work independently as well as within a team environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.