Title: Labor Relations Specialist

Schedule Format - Location: Hybrid - San Francisco

Pay Information: $93,705 - $140,558

Position Summary:
                       
The Labor Relations Specialist will direct support to the labor relations and employee relations functions for the company. They will report directly to the VP of HR and work with the General Counsel to manage KQED’s collective bargaining agreements and union relationships.

KQED envisions a public media organization with a culture that centers on human dignity, equity, and belonging. This will enable us to better serve and reflect the Bay Area through diverse and inclusive storytelling. 

We value the contributions of marginalized people in society — including Black, Indigenous, and all people of color,  people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people — and we believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do, and we strongly encourage members of these communities to apply.

KQED Code of Ethics  https://www.kqed.org/about/code-ethics

The mission that drives us:

KQED provide citizens of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media.   We provide citizens with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions; convene community dialogue; bring the arts to everyone and engage audiences to share their stories. We help students and teachers thrive in 21st-century classrooms, and take people of all ages on journeys of exploration- exposing them to new people, places and ideas.

This role will work hybrid between working in KQED's newly renovated headquarters and working remotely. 

Essential Functions: 

Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations:

• Responsibility for all collective bargaining agreement negotiations as well as analysis, advice and resolution of all day-to-day labor relations issues; 
• Serve on CBA negotiation team;   
• Gather information from stakeholders, identify changes needed, and advise management  regarding how to pursue;
• Prepare reports, information, presentations and other items needed for collective bargaining.
• Collaborate with communications teams to ensure appropriate internal and external communications;
• Consult with General Counsel and outside counsel as needed. 

Day-to-Day Labor Relations: 

• Respond to bargaining unit grievances and complaints/concerns, including conducting investigations, negotiating settlements, writing answers, participating in grievance meetings and arbitration hearings, and coordinating implementation of grievance settlements and arbitration decisions, including:
• Consulting with applicable supervisors, investigate, and meet with stewards to discuss and attempt to resolve disputes at Step 1 of grievance process;
• Organizing and conducting Step 2 grievance meetings, acting as the lead Organization spokesperson to present management positions, gathering and maintaining records relevant to the defense such grievances;  and
• In conjunction with General Counsel and/or outside counsel, engaging in settlement negotiations for grievances
• Assist outside counsel in preparing for formal proceedings (including arbitration and NLRB proceedings), and testify in such proceedings cases as appropriate; 
• Act as internal subject matter expert on all CBAs;
• Provide advice and training to supervisory personnel regarding interpretation of CBAs;
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with union leadership;
• Regularly communicate with union officials, and respond to information requests or other inquiries;
• Ensure data and reports required under the CBAs are provided to Unions in a timely manner and document compliance as necessary;
• Provide support to HR on employee relations issues with labor law implications;
• Provide leadership to senior managers staffed with bargaining unit members in the ongoing administration of collective bargaining agreements and organization policy to ensure consistency within and across departments; and
• Act as liaison between the organization and unions representing bargaining unit members with respect to conditions of employment, fringe benefits, work assignments and related matters.

Knowledge/Experience Required:
 

• Bachelor’s degree or comparable HR working experience
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience at Specialist level. 
• At least 1-2 years in Employee Relations:  responding to employee complaints, conducting investigations, providing advice to managers on wage/hour; compliance audits etc.
• Experience working with a union-represented workforce preferred.
• Customer Service orientation
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and strong organizational, project management and interpersonal skills required
• Ability to communicate effectively with KQED staff as well as applicants and the general public.  Tact, diplomacy and confidentiality a must.
• Excellent skills with the Microsoft Office Suite of products including:  MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as database packages.
• Ability to constantly sit for six to eight hours; ability to occasionally walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, twist, as well as push and pull up to three hours; Frequently lifts up to 10lbs. Constantly carries up to 10lbs.

Knowledge/Experience Desired
 

• Experience with HR Information Systems desired
• Experience handling union grievances and interpreting collective bargaining agreements desired

Physical Demands:
 

• Ability to lift a minimum of fifteen (15) pounds;
• Ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull or carry;
• Ability to use abdominal and lower back muscles over time without fatigue;
• Ability to stand and/or sit for extended periods;
• Ability to bend, stoop, stretch, twist, sit, and reach;
• Fine motor skills;
• Good visual and auditory acuity.

 #LI-hybrid