Lead Union Negotiator - HR Labor / Employee Relations & Corporate Safety - Akron General Office Bldg

FirstEnergy - Greensburg, PA

Full-time - Mid Level

Greensburg, PA

Utilities

About the position

This is a position within FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. The Lead Negotiator is responsible for serving as FirstEnergy's chief agent in labor relations and negotiations with assigned unions, as well as the administration of labor relations programs and activities. This role requires collaboration with union leaders and business leaders to improve and align labor relations with FirstEnergy's core values, policies, and procedures. The Lead Negotiator oversees negotiation teams, interprets and applies contract language, and implements collective bargaining agreements and settlements. This includes defining objectives and developing appropriate negotiation strategies and tactics to achieve cost-effective and competitive labor agreements. Additionally, the position involves contract administration, grievance and arbitration administration, and preparation. The Lead Negotiator provides support to the respective management team and is responsible for administering, safeguarding, and training supervisors and managers on the labor agreement.

Responsibilities

• Negotiating collective bargaining agreements
• Managing the grievance and arbitration process to ensure thorough, timely, and effective adjudication of employee complaints and grievances; working with management and union leaders to resolve disputes
• Overseeing labor agreement administration including advising operating management on disciplinary and contract interpretation issues to ensure compliance with local labor agreements, assisting management in developing policies and systems consistent with maximizing management flexibility
• Maintaining positive relationships with union leadership
• Providing advice on overall employee relations activities
• Working with Business Units and Corporate Human Resources (benefits, compensation) to ensure alignment with corporate policies and procedures during the negotiations process
• Overseeing applicable employee communications
• Developing and delivering targeted training, as needed
• Supporting Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives
• Ensuring compliance with the National Labor Relations Act and other applicable laws

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business Administration or related discipline required; JD or master's degree preferred
• Minimum 7 years professional work experience required with labor relations experience including Chief Spokesperson experience
• Experience in all aspects of human resources, employee relations, company/union relations and employment law
• Proven leadership and demonstrated knowledge, skill and experience in contract language/negotiations, arbitration, grievance, employment/labor law
• Experience in the administration of the grievance and arbitration processes
• Experience preparing cases for arbitration is required; experience in presenting arbitration cases preferred
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work both independently and in a team environment; proven ability to work and communicate with all levels of the organization from hourly employees to executive management
• Ability to translate legal/labor law, contract, policies to coach managers in resolving day-to-day issues
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Above average computer and systems knowledge (HRIS, MS Office and Outlook)
• Demonstrated change leadership
• Ability to identify the 'big picture' and set strategy yet extrapolates to the tactical
• Detail-oriented with very strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment

Benefits

• Competitive pay plus incentive compensation
• Company-sponsored pension plan
• 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution
• Choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs
• Skills development training with tuition reimbursement