Employee & Labour Relations Officer, Human Resources Job in Canada

Job title: Employee & Labour Relations Officer, Human Resources

Company: University of Winnipeg

Expected salary: $87156 – 110407 per year

Location: Winnipeg, MB

Employee & Labour Relations Officer, Human Resources Job Details:

Description:

The Human Resources Department provides leadership in human resource practices, policies and programs for the entire campus aligned with the overall goals and vision of the University of Winnipeg. The Department also plays a leadership role in the development of employee communications, with the support of Communications staff.

The Employee & Labour Relations Officer (ELRO) is accountable for the provision of comprehensive, expert employee and labour relations services to the University.

Employee & Labour Relations Services (ELRS) is responsible for the negotiation of collective agreements; interpretation, application and administration of collective agreements; investigation and recommendation of appropriate management action on employee and labour relations matters including discipline; representation of management in the resolution of labour relations disputes through a variety of mechanisms including consultation, mediation, negotiation with labour representatives, and the grievance process. The main focus is to work as a key member of the labour relations team to develop consistent interpretation and administration of the collective agreements at the University.

Responsibilities:

Collective Bargaining

• Lead the management bargaining team, and brief management on the progress of negotiations to ensure that the bargaining mandate and strategy continue to align with the University’s direction.
• Conducting negotiations and concluding collective agreements with groups of University employees through the Unions.
• Assist in developing a negotiating mandate that includes both monetary issues and issues which may not have a direct dollar cost by analysing comparative research data with respect to pay, benefits and security provisions.
• Draft strategic bargaining proposals consistent with the principles of labour relations and the University’s goals and strategic directions. Propose language regarding governance and monetary options, identifying opportunities for improvements in University collective agreements. Calculate financial impact to proposed options and prepare documents to present to key stakeholders.
• Schedule, coordinate and attend pre-bargaining management meetings to understand the collective agreement issues that impede management’s ability to accomplish the organization’s goals and strategies. Undertake research and analysis, compile data and recommend options to resolve issues on a majority of the collective agreements.
• Represent the interests of the University, analyze and evaluate union proposals, draft counter-proposals, assess the impact of union proposals on the University, and record minutes as required. Research and recommend alternatives and counter-proposals to the bargaining committee.
• Update existing documents and create new collective agreement documents with agreed language, ensuring accuracy.

Employee and Labour Relations Research, Analysis and Administration

• Provide guidance and information to clients and HR Client Services on questions related to general labour relations principles. Provide functional direction in the implementation, interpretation and administration of collective agreements. Work with the labour relations and HR Client Services teams to develop consistent interpretation and administration of collective agreement language, preparing a library of interpretations for future reference. Prepare directives and policies for HR Client Services and management.
• Create LOUs and MOAs outlining the terms and scope of an agreement between the parties, which clarifies or modifies collective agreement language.
• Conduct research in preparation for arbitration or grievance hearings. Prepare case summaries and other hearing materials, as required. Analyse precedents to determine relevance to current matter.
• Represent the University by participating in grievance hearings. Draft grievance response letters, ensuring the University’s position is accurately documented in the event the matter proceeds further to quasi-judicial labour hearings such as arbitration.
• Identify vulnerabilities to the University regarding non-unionized staff and recommend opportunities to resolve the situation.
• Participate in the University’s Labour/Management Committees.
• Evaluate complex human resource and recommend the appropriate action to stakeholders considering the potential impact of such decisions on a University-wide basis.
• Conduct research and analysis of relevant jurisprudence to determine appropriate advice and recommendations consistent with the University’s interests and to minimize possible liability.

Investigations

• Conduct thorough investigations into allegations of employee misconduct, researching relevant case law, following the principles of procedural fairness, making findings of fact on a balance of probabilities, assessing credibility, making recommendations to senior management concerning the appropriate disposition, and writing investigation reports.

Training and Development

• Design, develop and deliver a full range of employee and labour relations training and development programs for HR Client Services and management.

Employee and Labour Relations Records Management

• Track discipline imposed to ensure consistency in application and for reporting on trends.
• Track current grievances, ensuring adherence to timelines in accordance with the appropriate collective agreement.
• Maintain an electronic Labour Relations library of reference material.

Other

• Contribute to policies related to the terms and conditions of employment of excluded employees.
• Participate in strategic and operational planning and implementation as a member of the Human Resources team.

Qualifications:

• An undergraduate degree with courses in human resources or an acceptable equivalent of education and experience (Certificate or diploma in human resources management)
• Additional training and/or a focus in HR training in Labour Relations highly desirable
• 5 years of directly related experience in a Human Resources role including a minimum of 3 years in a labour relations (unionized) context, preferably in a University environment
• Broad based experience of Human Resources functions i.e., Labour Relations, Human Rights and Compensation
• Experience with all aspects of collective bargaining
• Effective and proven oral and written communication skills, plus demonstrated skills in preparing collective bargaining proposals
• Excellent interpersonal skills including establishing rapport with peers and staff, and dealing effectively with all levels of contacts
• Demonstrated research skills with ability to acquire pertinent information and apply it appropriately to a situation
• Proven ability to be proactive and use initiative to prepare for issues and resolutions
• Ability to work well and accurately under pressure with frequent interruptions
• Considerable knowledge of the procedures, practices and techniques used in collective bargaining and labour management negotiations
• A thorough knowledge of labour legislation and regulations
• Demonstrated ability to use tact and maturity in human relations, sound judgement within areas of responsibility and ability to manage multiple competing priorities, with the ability to prioritize work
• Proven ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Ability to work independently with minimum direction
• Previous group presentation and facilitation skills preferred

An equivalent combination of education, experience, skills, knowledge and abilities may be considered.

Condition(s) of Employment:

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Ability to work flexible hours; may require occasional evening work during bargaining.

Note: The work described in this posting will be conducted in-person, with an opportunity to apply for Remote Work for up to two (2) days per week.

The salary range for this position will be from $87,156 to $110,407 annually.

The University of Winnipeg is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research environments, and is essential to academic and institutional excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons to confidentially self-identify at time of application.

The University of Winnipeg is committed to ensuring employment opportunities are accessible for all applicants. If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected].

The personal information of applicants is collected under the authority of the University of Winnipeg Act and 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information collected via the recruitment process is used to assess the applicant’s suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for employment, and to otherwise support recruitment activities. This information will be provided to participating members of the recruitment process. Questions regarding the collection of your personal information may be directed to the Director, HR Services, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9 or [email protected].

The University of Winnipeg has a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy that requires all those coming to designated indoor campus spaces to provide proof they are fully vaccinated. The Policy was suspended effective May 2, 2022. However, prospective employees should know that the Policy may be reinstated in the future based on changing public health circumstances.
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