Senior Labor Relations Representative

This position is eligible for teleworking, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective hire date.

Opening:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Position Objective:

Provide counsel and direction on the administration of labor agreements to ensure Metro-North Railroad’s (MNR) primary mission to deliver a safe, reliable and efficient transportation service to the public. This position provides experienced interpretation and advisement on labor-management activities, collective bargaining agreements and labor law to protect MNR’s financial interests and promote its strategic goals, with an objective to prevent and resolve labor disputes.  

Responsibilities:

• Arrange, attend, and participate in monthly conferences with union representatives to discuss contract grievances and employee discipline appeals; perform analytical review of claims, grievances, and discipline transcripts; prepare substantive letters of decision to Union General Chairman within specified time limitations set forth in collective bargaining agreements.
• Provide prompt and accurate responses to labor contract questions or concerns raised by operating department managers by telephone or email inquiries. Prepare written responsesto correspondence received from outside agencies, unions, and employees.
• Draft legal briefs and serve as the MNR management advocate at final and binding arbitration sanctioned by the National Mediation Board for all contract grievance and employee discipline cases.
• Provide leadership and management on the interpretation and application of Collective  Bargaining Agreements. Provide formal and informal instruction to Supervisors and Managers on the application of the labor agreements and on resolving disputes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Working knowledge of federal and state employment and labor laws.
• Working knowledge of mediation techniques.
• Familiarity with the interpretation and application of FMLA and ADA.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with all levels in the Company and external contacts.
• Working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements, arbitration procedures, and the ability to analyze labor issues and apply the agreements to those issues.
• Must be able to conform to specific time limitations and deadlines.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and/or comparable applications.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial/Labor Relations or related field.
• Minimum of five (5)  years of experience in Labor Relations, including labor contract administration, grievance handling, and the presentation of arbitration cases.
• A law degree or Master’s Degree in labor relations (or a related discipline), with two years of related experience, may be substituted for the above required experience.

Preferred:

• Law Degree strongly preferred.
• Master’s Degree in Industrial/Labor Relations or related major.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s policies and procedures
• Familiarity with the MTA’s collective bargaining procedures.

Other Information

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)

Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.

According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MNR drivers, or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.