Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY)
Employee Relations and Labor Relations Specialist
- Location
- New York, NY, United States
- Work type
- On-site · Full-time
- Salary
- USD 85,000 – 96,000 / year
- Posted
- (1 week ago)
About the role
About PPGNY
Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) is a leading provider of sexual and reproductive health care. Our mission is to help every person make informed choices about their reproductive health and well-being. We work to build an inclusive, supportive workplace where our people can do their best work for the communities we serve.
We're hiring an experienced Employee and Labor Relations Manager to join our HR team. This person will lead our relationship with 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
Position Summary
The Employee and Labor Relations Manager leads PPGNY's day-to-day labor relations with 1199SEIU and is a trusted employee relations partner across the organization. You'll be the main point of contact with the union. You'll investigate workplace concerns, coach managers through performance and discipline issues, and help negotiate and apply the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) fairly and consistently. The goal is a respectful, collaborative workplace that supports high-quality patient care.
Key Responsibilities
Union Relations and Contract Administration
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Build and keep strong, trusting relationships with 1199SEIU delegates, organizers and members, and serve as PPGNY's main point of contact with the union.
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Lead or take part in labor-management meetings, and follow up on what's agreed.
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Help prepare for collective bargaining and take part in negotiations. This includes gathering data, costing proposals and drafting language.
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Interpret the CBA and apply it consistently, working with legal counsel on contract interpretation, bargaining strategy and labor law questions. Advise managers and HR partners on contract questions.
Workplace Investigations and Dispute Resolution
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Lead fair, thorough investigations into employee concerns. These include harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace violence and other possible breaches of policy, rules or law.
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Interview complainants, respondents and witnesses using sound interviewing techniques, and keep clear, accurate records at every step.
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Maintain accurate, up-to-date case records in the designated case management system from intake through resolution.
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Provide regular status updates on open investigations and prepare timely, thorough reports with findings, supporting documentation and recommendations.
- Manage the grievance process from start to finish. This includes holding grievance meetings, representing PPGNY at hearings and writing responses to the union.
- Guide managers and supervisors through each step of the grievance procedure so deadlines and CBA terms are met.
- Help prepare and present cases at internal review panels, arbitrations and agency proceedings as needed
Manager Coaching, Training and Engagement
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Advise managers and supervisors on performance problems, conduct issues and discipline, making sure each step is consistent, well documented and in line with the CBA.
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Help managers build and manage performance improvement plans (PIPs) that set clear expectations and timelines.
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Act as a resource for employees with questions about PPGNY policies and procedures.
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Build strong working relationships with managers and staff in your assigned business units, and meet with them weekly to spot issues early and keep employee relations positive.
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Work with the General Counsel's office and other HR team members to resolve complex employee relations matters.
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Design and support programs that improve engagement, retention and morale, consistent with the CBA.
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Create and lead training, presentations and group sessions for managers on contract terms, investigations, documentation and employee relations best practices, and hold joint sessions with union members when appropriate so everyone understands their roles, rights and responsibilities.
Policy Development and Compliance
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Work with HR and legal to create and update policies that follow the CBA, employment law and PPGNY's needs.
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Stay current on federal, New York State and New York City labor and employment laws, NLRB developments and healthcare industry trends, and flag compliance risks early.
Required Qualifications
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Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Industrial and Labor Relations, Business Administration or a related field
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5+ years of employee and labor relations experience in a unionized setting. Healthcare and 1199SEIU experience strongly preferred.
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Track record of taking part in union negotiations and administering a collective bargaining agreement
- Hands-on experience running workplace investigations, including harassment, discrimination and retaliation complaints
- Experience with grievance hearings and written responses to the union
- Deep knowledge of labor and employment law (including the NLRA), CBA interpretation and dispute resolution
Skills and Abilities
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Excellent communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills
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Strong interviewing skills, with clear, well-supported investigation reports
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Experience using a case management or HRIS system to track cases
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Sound judgment and discretion with confidential and sensitive information
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Ability to build trust with people at every level, including frontline staff, managers, executives and union leaders
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Ability to manage several cases at once under tight deadlines
Preferred Qualifications
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HR certification (SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR/SPHR)
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Workplace investigations training or certification
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Arbitration preparation experience
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Commitment to PPGNY's mission and to equity and inclusion