Summary 

The Manager, Labor Relations will execute labor relations strategies, negotiate contracts, manage day-to-day contract administration, such as interpretive guidance to management and grievance processing, support the Company's positive labor relations and intervention efforts, investigate labor relations matters, facilitate training, build effective relationships with union representatives, and perform other duties as assigned. This individual is the field-level first point of contact for union representatives and business leaders regarding all issues related to the collective bargaining agreement and the collective bargaining relationship.

Essential Functions

Labor Relations Strategy

• Collaborate with senior management and leadership develop and implement labor relations strategies and initiatives to promote a positive work environment and align with organizational goals. 
• Manages labor-union relations to achieve and protect business objectives, maintain constructive working relationships, and ensure the best possible outcomes for the company and its employees. 

Negotiations

• Serves on negotiation team in both lead and other capacity.
• Review and analyze labor market trends and competitor practices to inform leadership of negotiation strategies. 
• Assist in preparation of bargaining authority request for executives and/or Board of Directors inclusive of labor strategies, recommended proposals with supporting benchmark data and economic analysis, and requested financial authority for bargaining. Ensures labor agreements are within approved bargaining authority.
• Strive to achieve cost effective, cost competitive labor agreements.

Labor Contract Administration

• Manages administration of labor contracts; provides interpretation of labor contracts; oversees all labor relations processes, including document management and retention, ensuring compliance with CBA’s, labor laws, and company policies.
• Manage communication plans, facilitate meetings and prepare materials to keep managers, union representatives and employees informed about labor relations matters, as appropriate. 
• Manage and track grievances and arbitrations, evaluate for trends, track costs, identify training and development opportunities, develop plans for reduction of grievances and grievance expenditures with the business. 
• Manage and track discipline for represented employees. Advise business leaders on disciplinary issues for represented employees.
• Review, interpret and make recommendations on company policies and procedures with respect to labor issues; serve as an organizational resource in raising issues that may result in a gap between stated organizational goals and actual practice.
• Stay current on labor laws, regulations, and industry standards, ensuring the organization's compliance. Work with legal counsel to interpret and apply labor laws appropriately. 
• Address and resolve labor relations issues in a timely and fair manner. Implement effective dispute resolution mechanisms to maintain a harmonious workplace. 
• Conduct investigations of represented employee complaints and disputes, providing recommendations for resolution. 

LR Training

• Lead the development and implementation of labor relations training programs for executives, business leaders and bargaining unit employees that support HR & Labor Relations strategies and plans.

Other

• May assume the responsibilities of the Vice President, Human Resources in their absence.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Relationships

Internal

• Vice President, Human Resources: Reports to, receives direction and guidance from.
• Executive Leadership: Exchanges and provides information as required.
• Supervisors and Managers: Instructs, informs, provides assistance to and exchanges information as required.
• All employees: Instructs, informs, provides assistance to and exchanges information as required.

External

• Bargaining Unit Representatives
• Other Utilities: Exchanges information with and provides technical assistance to.
• State and Federal Agencies: Exchanges information and develops relationships relative to assigned duties.

Competencies

• Extensive knowledge of labor relations practices and legal requirements
• Strong interpersonal and persuasion skills, enabling individual to establish partnerships working with senior leaders across organizational lines as well as with union representatives.
• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment where decisions may have a significant impact on the operations and finances of the Company
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and management skills, and the ability to prioritize multiple projects 
• Able to handle confidential information in a mature and professional manner.
• Team player with exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Highly analytical thinker and problem solver.
• High-quality judgment and sound decision-making.
• Strong project and time management skills with ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects to closure.
• Ability to deal tactfully with a wide variety of individuals and to maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to interpret, explain and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and be able to interact effectively and efficiently with all levels of employees in a fair and consistent manner.
• Strong computer skills and thorough understanding of word processing, spreadsheet and database software.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibility.

Work Environment 

Work is performed in a standard office environment. Some travel to remote sites may be required. This position requires some time outside of typical working hours and travel to meetings outside the State.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in industrial/labor relations or related field required. (Human Resources, Business Administration, etc.). 

Masters degree in industrial/labor relations or related field preferred.

Other specialized education and/or training in Industrial/Labor Relations preferred.

Experience

Five (5) years direct experience in Labor Relations required. Experience must include labor contract administration, grievance procedures and contract negotiations. 

Substitution

Labor Relations experience which includes labor contract administration, grievance procedures and contract negotiations may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis, in addition to experience requirement.

Chugach Electric Association is a member-owned cooperative, headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Anchorage itself sits at the base of the Chugach Mountains. Chugach is pleased to provide reliable, affordable power to more than 92,000 members from Anchorage to the northern Kenai Peninsula, and from Whittier on Prince William Sound to Tyonek on the west side of Cook Inlet. We service over 113,000 locations with 3,782 miles of transmission and distribution lines. We have many services that make it easy to power homes and businesses with Chugach.

A little more about us: Chugach has been around for a long time, recently celebrating 75 years! We are a stable company, in a stable industry. And while we may have stability, we are modern, sustainable and forward-thinking to ensure that we provide reliable services for generations to come. We also pride ourselves on the longevity of our employees. We have several 20, 30 and 40 year tenured employees who continue foster an inclusive, innovative corporate environment. Find your spark!

Chugach's corporate vision:
Responsibly developing energy to build a clean, sustainable future for Alaska.

Chugach's corporate mission:
We provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity through superior service and sustainable practices, powering the lives of our members.

Chugach's corporate values:
Guided by our values of safety, accountability, and sustainability, we are committed to serving our members, the community, and the Chugach team.

Equal Employment Opportunity
It is a policy of Chugach Electric Association, Inc., to recruit, hire, train, promote, and compensate persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, physical or mental disability, veteran's status, age, or any other classification protected by applicable, federal, state, or local law.
Chugach is also an affirmative action employer.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Premium & Deductible are paid for by Chugach Electric. The plan includes coverage of:

• Medical, RX, Dental & Vision
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Telemedicine

FINANCIAL SECURITY

• 401K Plan
• Defined Benefit (Pension)
• Retirement Investment services
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Chugach Electric
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Flex Spending Account (Health, Limited Use, Dependent Care)

WORK, LIFE & HEALTH

• 20 days vacation for first year of employment
• 9 Paid Holidays 2 Float Holidays 1 Birthday Holiday
• Employee Assistance Program
• MetLife Will Preparation