Overall Summary:
The Employee Relations (ER) and Labor Relations (LR) Associate plays a crucial role in supporting the ER/LR functions within the organization. This position is responsible for handling employee concerns, disputes, and grievances, ensuring compliance with labor laws and the collective bargaining agreement, and fostering a positive work environment.
Location: Hybrid (see below), downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Job Responsibilities:
Participate in labor contract negotiations and grievances processesAssist in developing and conducting ER/LR training programs for managers and employeesMaintain accurate records of ER/LR activities and documentation, including ensuring appropriate documents are available on Union informational SharePoint sitePrepare monthly, quarterly, yearly, and ad hoc reports and presentations for senior management and union leadership on ER/LR initiatives, hiring actions, issues, and trendsAssist in the development and implementation of ER/LR policies and proceduresManage the internal bid process through the posting of Union bids, processing bid lists, monitoring outstanding bids, etc. Manage bumping procedure when necessary.Participate in the Company's preemployment EEI testing and other standardized testing processes, as necessary in partnership with Manager, Talent Acquisition (TA)Assist with the adverse action process, in partnership with TA, ER/LR, and LegalMonitor Personnel Status Change box and approve Union hiring actionsTrack and maintain data for Union employees, including service anniversary progressions, probationary evaluation forms, retention agreements, skill progressions, and seniority listPartner with Talent Acquisition to track union hires and maintain tracking list in conjunction with probationary evaluation formsManage the Company's union-focused programs, such as Boot and Fire Resistant Clothing programs, end-to-endManage Random Drug Testing programParticipate in investigations into employee complaints and issues, and provide recommendations for resolution, in partnership with Corporate Compliance and Human Resources Business Partners (HRBPs)Serve as a point of contact for employees regarding workplace concerns and grievancesRespond to requests for information and assist with arbitrations/investigationsEnsure compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws and regulationsSupport management in handling disciplinary actionsFacilitate effective communication between employees and management as appropriateMonitor HR email box on a rotating basis, responding to employee inquiries as appropriateEducation/Experience
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Employee or Labor Relations, or related field requiredOne (1+) or more years of experience in Employee Relations and/or Labor Relations preferred; experience working in a bargaining unit environment preferredValid driver's license requiredMaster's degree in Human Resources or related field preferredRelevant certifications such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, etc. preferredSkills and Abilities Utilized in this Role Include:
Strong understanding of labor laws and regulationsExcellent interpersonal and communication skillsStrong problem-solving and conflict resolution skillsAbility to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive informationProficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, PowerBI)Why you'll love working here: We live by our values!
- We are safe above all else. We must keep ourselves, each other, our customers and communities safe
- We are guided by our commitment to integrity and never compromising on ethics
- We are dependable, collaborative and steady; we are a trusted partner to all
- We believe in equity and equal access to work, resources and opportunities are critical elements of a clean energy future for all
- We are ingrained in our community; we work where we live and are committed to serving our vibrant, diverse communities.
Scope:
Responsibilities are generally tactical and basic in nature, however work may vary in type and complexity, requiring the incumbent to be flexible to adjust to the given situation. Primary focus is on daily deliverables and outputs, while at the same time developing a knowledge of the broader context in which the work is being performed.
Decision Impact:
Independent discretion or decision-making capability is mostly limited. There is normally a general framework of established boundaries to help employees perform their roles and make decisions. Situations that require deviation from this general framework are typically not made alone. The employee may recommend a solution, however the recommendations are frequently presented to their manager or more senior level professionals for review and approval prior to the decision being made.
Hybrid Work:
Position follows our hybrid work model, with a minimum of two days working in the office and the remaining day working remotely. Reporting location and frequency may be subject to change based on job role and department needs.
Storm Roles:
All Non-Union Employees will serve in storm roles as appropriate to their role and skillset. Please be sure to discuss storm roles with the hiring manager for this position, as duties can vary across the Company. Examples of storm roles could include but aren't limited to duties such as: working with operations for service center support or with the communications, customer service, or government affairs teams to respond to public and customer requests for information, etc.
Data Governance:
Utilize data to make business decisions as appropriate for the position, support data stewardship activities and partner with IT on underlying data needs.
Disclaimer:
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.