Employee and Labor Relations Manager

About the CompanyThe 1199SEIU Funds are among the strongest and largest labor-management funds in the nation, providing a range of comprehensive benefits to more than 450,000 working and retired healthcare industry workers — members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East — and their families. Through the Benefit and Pension, Training and Employment and Child Care Funds, 1199SEIU members enjoy quality health benefits, a defined monthly pension at retirement and training, educational, job security, and childcare benefits all at little or no cost. By collaborating with the Union and employers to prepare, sustain and support a quality workforce, the Funds are a valuable healthcare resource, fulfilling a commitment to building a strong industry that improves patient care.About the RoleThe Employee and Labor Relations Manager serve as a strategic advisor and subject matter expert on employee and labor relations, providing guidance grounded in comprehensive knowledge of collective bargaining agreements, organizational policies, and labor laws. This role partners closely with management, union representatives, and HR leadership to resolve complex workplace issues, including grievances, disciplinary actions, investigations, and conflict mediation. The ER/LR Manager also supports contract negotiations, policy development, and process improvements while ensuring confidentiality, regulatory compliance, and effective labor–management collaboration to promote a fair, respectful, and legally compliant work environment.ResponsibilitiesAnswer Employee and Labor Relations (ER/LR) inquiries, direct as appropriate, or provide information requiring comprehensive knowledge of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and Fund policies, procedures and operations; provide information as appropriate to knowledge base and level of issueProvide management and staff with coaching/counseling necessary to assist them in resolving personnel mattersAssist with the Senior Manager in recommending strategies, goals and objectives for both collective bargaining and management staffMediate conflict between management and staff in an attempt to reconcile differencesInvestigate and evaluate union complaints to determine viability before leading the fact-finding process and investigations of employee grievances and issuesAssess all disciplinary actions submitted by Managers before issuanceCo-facilitate workshops that fall within Employee relations including but not limited to policies and procedures (Attendance and Lateness workshops)Assist in Special Projects – PDA, Contract Negotiations, Process Improvement, Production Standards, Revision of Policies and ProceduresInterpret Collective Bargaining Agreement provisions; investigate and provide information for grievance proceedings arbitration and hearingsAssist with confidential investigations of employee complaints by researching and providing relevant informationSupport in the gathering of documentation for grievance proceedings, arbitration, and hearingsPrepare written materials including reports, memos, and correspondences; reviews material for accuracy and completeness; analyzes data and conducts Internet research as neededAttend Labor Relations meetings, take minutes, and write summariesAssist with contract negotiations by collecting, analyzing and assembling data; preparing proposals; analyzing union proposalsAssist in resolving advanced issues such as employee complaints, harassment allegations, terminations, discrimination, and situations involving interpersonal conflict in the workplaceInterface with union representatives and management team to coordinate union site visits, employee releases for union business and joint training sessionsFollow all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Protected Health Information (PHI) requirements and regulationsPerform additional duties as assigned by ManagementQualificationsBachelor’s degree in Business, Industrial Relations or Human Resources or equivalent work experience requiredMinimum five (5) years working experience in Employee and/or Labor Relations required; prior experience in a union setting preferred and two (2) years supervisory experience requiredBasic skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint preferredKnowledge of labor relations principles and practicesAdvanced oral, listening, presentation and written communication skills requiredMust be able to work within and maintain the confidentiality required of the organization and the Human Resources DepartmentExcellent interpersonal skills with the ability to maintain effective working relationships with union officials, employees, and managementExcellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assist with investigations from initial complaint to resolutionAbility to prioritize and multitask effectively in a fast paced, confidential environment with competing priorities