Union Labor Relations Manager

Job Summary

This project is located in Harrima, TN and requires mobilizing to the site for project duration.

7 years of Labor Relations Manager experience is strongly preferred.

This Union Labor Relations Professional role covers one or more assigned BVCI union construction projects providing leadership and guidance in the implementation of BVCI's Labor Relations policies and procedures for key customers. Will lead onsite direct reports as assigned in the management of union employee matters on projects with NABTU and UBC (“Building Trades”) union employees, including implementation and management of construction industry labor agreements including owner project labor agreements. Will respond to questions or concerns regarding labor agreement terms and conditions, work scope jurisdiction, lead dispute resolution and de-escalation, support the resolution of union payroll issues, guide the management of local hall referrals, enforce documentation of union employee discipline, keep the Site Manager, Construction Manager, Labor Relations Director, and owner labor relations representatives updated on labor relations matters for the projects, communicate and collaborate with Building Trades international representatives, local representatives and NABTU regional representatives to facilitate successful projects.

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Key Responsibilities

• Manage and lead labor relations and labor agreement administration for one or more projects for key customer(s) or region of the U.S. representing the company in the compliance, interpretation and negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, addendums, and memorandums of understanding.

• Represent the company at local, regional, and international labor-management committee meetings for owner based project labor agreements, national agreements, and union construction industry meetings. Gather facts and report on industry updates, manpower trends and best practices.

• Oversee onsite project labor relations communication with Local Union Halls for manpower requests, union craft referrals, including apprenticeship needs, and specific skills, in accordance with the needs of the site team and the terms of the labor agreement. Will attend and actively participate in monthly meetings with Local Hall Business Agents for the projects.

• Provide oversight, guidance and leadership on the investigation and resolution of complaints, grievances, and disputes in coordination with project site team, Labor Relations Director, HR and owner representatives.

• Manage and develop onsite Labor Relations team members regarding duties, responsibilities and the administration labor agreements, jobsite rules and company policies for group of projects.                                                                                                                                 

• Assist with the training and development of new BVCI employees for union construction projects. Partner with the Labor Relations Director and other BVCI departments to help develop and refresh training materials.

• Work with the corporate office and site teams to implement and manage union labor employment policies as defined in the BVCI Jobsite Rules, health and safety rules, company employment policies, and the labor agreement for the project.

• Help lead and guide fact finding, collection of witness statements, and any other information for purposes of employee discipline and for any grievances or EEOC charges that pertain to union craft employees.• Work with project site teams and Local Union representatives to address and resolve all jurisdictional work scope assignment issues amongst the union craft.

• Oversee and monitor project reporting of key performance indicator information for certain projects in accordance with owner practices and the project labor agreement.

• Work with site management, labor relations, and corporate payroll to resolve payroll matters pertaining to union craft employees including but not limited to the collection and updating of wage and fringe rates for each Building Trade on the project and the interpretation of rules for pay, work hours, straight time and overtime, in accordance with the labor agreement documents for the project.

• Manage and attend Local Building Trades meetings for Pre-Job Conferences, periodic project meetings, post-job briefs, and jurisdictional work scope mark-up meetings in collaboration with labor relations and operations teams.

• May work with project bids, proposals, operations teams developing wage information and other industrial construction market data for labor surveys in order to assess upcoming work and new construction.

• Collaborate with and report to Labor Relations Director to develop labor relations management strategies and policies to meet needs of projects.

• Supervises work of others. Responsible for hiring, discipline, and pay administration of assigned subordinates.

• Travel as required in support of projects, goals and objectives of company.

• Utilize Microsoft Excel and Word at an advanced level to examine labor demand, labor availability, and produce reports with data to highlight labor availability, any shortfalls and evaluate possible methods for mitigating labor shortages.

Management Responsibilities

Individual Contributor

Supervises work of others. Responsible for hiring, discipline, and pay administration of their subordinates.

Preferred Qualifications

• 4-year college degree preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills preferred. Communication skills needed, Negotiation experience, Experience dealing with Unions, Experience with Union Contracts, Solid writing skills. This person must have the ability to deal with multiple personalities of differing prefessional levels and to handle difficult interpersonal situations. Understanding of construction.

Minimum Qualifications

• 7+ years relevant experience; Industrial construction experience with NABTU and UBC building and construction trades unions preferred; Similar experience dealing with labor agreements, local union halls, and/or large teams of directly hired union craft preferred.
• All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Certifications

Union Apprenticeship Program completion preferred; Current or past union member preferred.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Physical Demands

• Lift and carry heavy items weighing up to 50 pounds. 
• Stand, Kneel, Bend, Stoop, Move, and Walk long distances in and around confined, cluttered places, and uneven areas.
• See and hear naturally or with correction.   
• Full range of motion and flexibility consistent with requirements of the job duties. 
• Requires using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls according to a set procedure. 
• Requires repetitive movement. 
• May require work above 5 feet in height.
• Climb and maintain balance on steel framework, stairs, ladders and scaffolds. 
• Work up to a 12 hour shift doing hard physical labor in varying temperature extremes and other outside conditions. 

Work Environment

• Typical construction site environment:  
• Requires working in cramped work spaces and getting into awkward positions. 
• Requires working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32F degrees) temperatures and exposure to inclement weather such as dust, wind, snow, rain, etc. 
• Requires working in extremely bright or low lighting conditions 
• Includes exposure to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable. 
• Work around hazardous equipment.
• Typical office environment.
• Heavy traveling schedule going from one project to the next.