Labor Relations Consultant (Portland)

Job Summary :

This senior individual contributor is primarily responsible for conducting Union relations activities and initiatives and negotiating, implementing, and administering complex collective bargaining and labor agreements. This position develops and implements the Regions and National Labor Relations strategy and manages and integrates case handling and resolution of grievances.

Essential Responsibilities :

• Practices self-leadership and promotes learning in others by building relationships with cross-functional stakeholders; communicating information and providing advice to drive projects forward; influencing team members within assigned unit; listening and responding to, seeking, and addressing performance feedback; adapting to competing demands and new responsibilities; providing feedback to others, including upward feedback to leadership and mentoring junior team members; creating and executing plans to capitalize on strengths and develop weaknesses; and adapting to and learning from change, difficulties, and feedback.
• Conducts or oversees business-specific projects by applying deep expertise in subject area; promoting adherence to all procedures and policies; developing work plans to meet business priorities and deadlines; determining and carrying out processes and methodologies; coordinating and delegating resources to accomplish organizational goals; partnering internally and externally to make effective business decisions; solving complex problems; escalating issues or risks as appropriate; monitoring progress and results; recognizing and capitalizing on improvement opportunities; and evaluating recommendations made by others.
• Conducts Union relations activities and initiatives by partnering with Union officials; serving as first point of contact to union representatives; presenting reports and information for sharing Union relations strategies; designing committees; developing strategies and methods for addressing joint interests; conducting negotiations as chief spokesperson for designated groups; ensuring the implementation of labor relations plans; developing and maintaining positive relationships with union leadership; assuming leadership role in joint L / M endeavors; and conducting impact bargaining resulting from the effect of business decisions on terms and conditions of employment or negotiated provisions.
• Negotiates, implements, and administers complex collective bargaining and labor agreements by ensuring alignment with Region and Business Unit objectives; preparing information for management; reviewing information on industrial labor relations programs to ensure compliance; reviewing wage and economic forecasting and trending; reviewing contractual language, wage schedules, and costing reports; analyzing and developing proposals and economic recommendations; implementing negotiated provisions; counseling management negotiating teams; compiling, researching, and preparing negotiation data (i.e., surveys, costing materials; developing bargaining strategy; conducting negotiations as chief spokesperson for designated groups; and supporting the management of labor actions (i.e., work stoppages, picketing, leafleting).
• Develops and implements the Regions and National Labor Relations strategy by accounting for federal and state laws, including the National Labor Relations Act; accounting for long-term labor implications of business decisions; ensuring alignment of Regional and National strategies; ensuring alignment of plans and initiatives with strategy; providing LR consultation regarding Human Resources / business unit implications; collaborating with senior HR and business leadership to ensure understanding of strategy and ensure alignment with overall business objectives; educating management and employees regarding strategy; and providing on-going consultation on decision-making forums (i.e., LMP Oversight Committee, Negotiation Teams).
• Manages and integrates case handing and resolution of grievances by engaging in dispute resolution as appropriate; minimizing liability; responding to escalated union / management issues; collaborating with legal counsel during arbitration / mediation; consulting with stakeholders on grievances, investigations, and disputes; evaluating issues for contractual violations; and recommending remedies to grieving parties.

Minimum Qualifications :

• Minimum one (1) year experience in impact bargaining or as a chief negotiator of labor agreements.
• Minimum one (1) year experience in a leadership role with or without direct reports.
• Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Business, Social / Behavioral Science, Education, Public Administration, Liberal Arts, Law, or related field and Minimum five (5) years experience in human resources, business operations, consulting, legal, or a related field, including at least 3 years labor relations experience in a unionized environment. Additional equivalent work experience in a directly related field may be substituted for the degree requirement. Advanced degrees in the areas listed above may be substituted for years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Three (3) years experience administering labor grievance and arbitration procedures, including dispute resolution.
• Three (3) years of experience writing labor agreements, contracts, or letters of understanding.
• Three (3) years health care experience.
• JD degree.
• Master's degree in Human Resources, Business, Social / Behavioral Science, Education, Public Administration, Liberal Arts, Law, or related field.

Disclaimer

Kaiser Permanente is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status.