Sr Labor Relations Consultant - Fairview Health Services

Join our dedicated Labor Relations team and make a difference within a mission driven organization. 

This Sr Labor Relations position provides multi-functional consulting services to Fairview administrators, managers, supervisors and employees regarding employee and labor relations issues.  Administers the employee and labor relations program for Fairview including contract negotiations, contract administration, union relationships, grievance processes, organizing responses and educational development needs.  Conducts research and provides education and training on employee and labor relations issues.  Collaborates with Fairview leaders to assure positive employee relationships.  Establishes and builds effective relationships with labor union and management representatives to achieve the organization’s objectives.

Contract Administration 

• Advises managers and other HR staff on union contract interpretation.
• Represents Fairview’s interest in developing and building cooperative relationships with labor unions.
• Collaborates with Fairview leaders, internal and external Legal counsel, and HR to formulate strategic directions on labor issues.
• Participates in all phases of the grievance process and coordinates developing strategies and arbitration preparation.
• Under the oversight of the System Director, Labor Relations, recommends and manages settlement discussions, mediation process and other forms of alternative resolution outside the formal grievance process.
• Communicates corporate changes and initiatives to assigned labor unions. 

Strategy

• Assists with alignment of labor relations strategies with the overall goals and objectives of the organization.
• Assesses labor strategies to maximize opportunities for collaboration with unions, minimize disruption risks, and uphold a commitment to fostering positive employee relations.
• Collaborates with leadership to strategically plan for labor relations events, crafting aligned management perspectives and messages on critical labor issues. Ensures effective communication for labor relations strategy for successful implementation.
• Provides Labor Agreement center of excellence, in consultation with executive leadership and legal counsel, to leadership on contract interpretation and implementation.

Negotiations

• Leads negotiations during labor contract discussions with bargaining units; serves as a company advocate for labor relations matters, arbitrations, and other hearings on behalf of Fairview.
• Formulates and executes negotiation strategies and contingency plans, ensuring efficient communication on labor matters throughout the organization.
• With Fairview’s Legal department, or outside counsel if retained by Fairview’s Legal department, assits with the responses to charges filed by Union represented employees with outside agencies such as NLRB and other State or Governmental entities.

Policy Development

• Collaborating with stakeholders such as Legal and Operations, makes recommendations on policies related to labor relations, ensuring alignment with legal requirements and organizational objectives.
• Stays informed about labor laws and regulations to ensure that labor policies remain compliant with federal, state, and local legislation.
• Assists in developing strategies around proposed labor legislation in partnership with Government Relations/Pulblic Policy and the Director, Labor Relations.

Union Relations

• Develop, nurture and maintain relationship with unions, including employee representatives, union officers, outside counsel, arbitrators, union funds trustees and representative, and others impacting labor relations.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Fairview Health and union representatives, facilitating open communication and resolving issues effectively.

Promoting Positive Employee Relations

• Works closely with employee relations and HR Strategy teams to ensure coordinated execution of labor relations strategies and support for organizational leadership of the unionized workforce; implements and maintains proactive, positive employee relations through providing advice, counsel, and training regarding all related issues.
• Develops and implements strategies to maintain positive labor-management relations.
• Develops strategies to proactively recognize the early signs of potential unionization and collaborates across stakeholders to develop action plans.
• Cultivates a culture of open communication by engaging with staff at all levels, including union representatives and department heads, to identify workplace issues and opportunities for improvement.
• Drives the development and execution of targeted learning programs, in partnership with Human Resources, to enhance organizational competency and fostering continuous growth.
• Manages Fairview’s response to any union organizing drives.

Required Education and Experience

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in human resources management, labor relations, industrial relations, business administration, or related field; or equivalent work experience. 

Experience

• 7+ years of progressive HR experience with an emphasis in Labor Relations.
• 5+ years of adeptly navigating intricate employment situations
• Significant experience building negotiation plans and implementing changes 

Preferred

Education

• Graduate degree in a related discipline 

Experience

• Previous healthcare labor relations experience in a large integrated system.
• Nursing leadership and management experience highly desirable.