Asst Dir Labor & Employee Relations

Temple University•Philadelphia, PA

2d•$60,000 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Temple University's Human Resources Department is searching for an Assistant Director of Labor and Employee Relations! This position reports to the Assistant Vice President of Labor and Employee Relations and is responsible for the administration of Temple's various Collective Bargaining Agreements, assisting in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, and serving as Chief Negotiator when assigned. The Assistant Director serves as an internal expert in interpreting and applying the 12 collective bargaining agreements at Temple University, advising HR representatives, managers and supervisors on the correct interpretation and application of provisions of agreements and interactions with university policies, labor laws and regulations. Responsibilities include investigation and review of grievances; conduct grievance hearings; provide grievance responses and decisions. Maintains complete and appropriate documentation of each grievance case and persistent situations with special attention to those with arbitration potential. The incumbent advises on management of employees in compliance with contracts, work rules and university policy to ensure consistency and reasonableness. The Assistant Director works to establish and maintain productive working relationships university wide with managers, staff and union representatives to facilitate proactive identification and resolution of matters and ongoing positive relationships. Meets with various union representatives periodically to remain current on labor issues, grievances and contract provisions and to represent Temple University in union interaction. Conducts training on labor and employee relations matters. Advises the Assistant Vice President of potential labor issues and recommends remedial actions as appropriate. The incumbent performs similar duties with non-bargaining university employees and may represent the university in unemployment hearings and other proceedings. Performs other duties as assigned. This position requires the following background checks: criminal history review.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least five (5) years of Labor/Employee Relations or directly related experience.
Demonstrated success in negotiating, administering, and interpreting union contacts.
Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state labor and employment laws.
Demonstrated ability to analyze labor relations issues accurately as well as provide advice in a timely manner.
Demonstrated ability to manage and administer a broad range of tasks including counseling managers and employees on the interpretation of policies, procedures and the labor agreements.
Advanced organizational, analytical, and problem solving skills.
Excellent communications, interpersonal, organizational and personal relations skills.
Ability to work nights and/or weekends, as necessary.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a university or healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

Assist Chief Negotiator in preparing for union contract negotiations, including development of strategy and contract proposals to ensure bargaining outcomes consistent with the university objectives and review of cost and/or impact analysis of management and union proposals; assume responsibility of Chief Negotiator when assigned or in the absence of Chief Negotiator.
Effectively communicate potential proposals in advance of agreement with affected departments in HR and beyond to ensure agreement and full understanding of impact.
Inform sections of Human Resources and department heads of newly negotiated contract provisions, including salaries.
Administer and interpret union contracts, rules of conduct and employee manual.
Assist Employee Relations with like functions including investigations, unemployment hearings and disciplinary investigations
Advise and monitor appropriate disciplinary action taken to assure uniformity and consistency. Conduct disciplinary investigations as needed.
Conduct grievance hearings as the official designee of Temple University. Keep records of all formal meetings and grievance hearings.
Conduct unemployment hearings as the official designee of Temple University. Keep records of all formal meetings and grievance hearings.
Assist in preparing for arbitrations and participate in proceedings.
Establish and maintain a positive employee/labor relations environment by responding to employee/labor relations issues and bringing them to resolution, including conducting Meet and Discuss sessions with union stewards/delegates and mediating disputes and discord within departments between employees, supervisors, and management when necessary.
Assist in organizational restructuring where appropriate.
Assist with the development and maintenance of a database for tracking labor and employee relations activity.
Assist in interactions with the PA Labor Relations Board.
Assist in the development and implementation of Work Rules and Disciplinary Policy.
Provide training on labor and employee relations matters, including supervisory training for management both formally and informally.
Assist in planning and development of new personnel policies and procedures.
Assist administrators and department heads in the development of internal department policies, procedures, and scheduling systems.
Serve as a resource person for Human Relations and Affirmative Action cases.
Performs other duties as assigned.