Lead Labor Relations Specialist (Advocacy)

Metra•Chicago, IL

24d

About The Position

The Lead Labor Relations Specialist provides professional support in administering labor agreements, policies, and contract employee discipline and attendance policies. Reporting to the Director Labor Relations, the role advises management on interpreting and applying agreements and policies, conducts disciplinary investigations, and supports resolution of labor issues. The assigned area may focus on Administration or Advocacy. For Administration, the position handles complex disciplinary hearings and investigations, prepares findings and assesses discipline, analyzes and reports discipline-policy data, maintains discipline databases and related metrics, and serves as a point of contact for union and management representatives. It also provides expert guidance on collective bargaining agreements and policy, prepares documentation, and supports cooperative relationships with union representatives. For Advocacy, the position serves as a subject matter expert on labor relations procedures, labor law, legislative changes, and dispute resolution. It handles complex grievances and claims, represents Metra in arbitration, supports labor negotiations, conducts research, prepares proposal analyses, advises managers and supervisors, reviews grievance responses and agreement language, and prepares detailed responses to grievance appeals. The position may serve as a contract negotiator and has authority for dispute resolution. Metra’s Labor Relations function negotiates and administers 17 collective bargaining agreements with employees represented by 14 unions. The position also performs other related duties as assigned. Metra is a railroad employer subject to the Railroad Retirement Tax Act.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, or a related field; alternatively, a combination of experience and education equivalent to four years in Labor Relations.
At least seven years of labor relations experience, including contract negotiations, contract administration, and/or administrative hearings.
Considerable knowledge of union contract administration and disciplinary investigations.
Considerable knowledge of contract drafting and administration.
Considerable knowledge of labor negotiation and arbitration principles and practices.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong presentation and negotiation skills.
Strong research, analytical, organizational, and critical-thinking skills.
Effective interpersonal skills for constructive interaction in adversarial environments and with staff at all levels.
Proficiency in Microsoft 365, especially Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Ability to develop constructive working relationships with managers and union officials.
Ability to provide leadership to less-experienced staff.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a demanding environment.
Ability to handle sensitive information while maintaining strict confidentiality.
Ability to understand, interpret, and apply complex laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and labor-management agreements.
Must be able to operate a vehicle.
Must be willing to travel within and outside Metra’s six-county region.

Nice To Haves

Database skills are desirable.
Bachelor’s degree in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, or a related field (listed as preferred).

Responsibilities

Follow labor relations procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and update documents to reflect legislative changes.
Collaborate with staff on tactics and strategies aligned with department and agency goals.
Lead and support Labor Relations staff with administrative tasks, meetings, and analyses.
Handle complex disciplinary hearings, including researching issues, conducting investigations and hearings, writing findings reports, and assessing discipline.
Collect, analyze, and report discipline-policy data, including charges, frequency, and initial and actual discipline assessed.
Manage and update the discipline database and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion metrics, and maintain discipline-related data in systems.
Serve as a point of contact with union and/or management representatives.
Provide expert guidance to departments on interpreting collective bargaining agreements and policy; research and document findings; and defend Metra’s position on questions or claims.
Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with union representatives to facilitate issue resolution and constructive dialogue.
Serve as a subject matter expert on labor relations procedures, labor law, legislative change, dispute resolution, and pertinent union issues.
Advise on administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements.
Handle complex grievances and claims, including research, grievance responses, and representing Metra in arbitration.
Support assigned areas in labor negotiations, conduct research, compile benchmark information, and review data related to on-property or industry-specific concerns.
Serve as negotiator in contract negotiations; research and prepare graphs, charts, tables, and summaries describing the implications of contract proposals.
Work with managers and supervisors to address claims, answer questions about agreement provisions, and assist employees with inquiries and requests.
Review LRS1 and LRS2 grievance responses, draft agreement language, and analyses.
Prepare detailed, complex written responses to grievance appeals from labor organizations and exercise dispute-resolution authority.
Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.