Labour Relations Advisor

No.: SCH II-24-0055NE
POSTED: March 13, 2024
DEADLINE: March 27, 2024

Labour Relations Advisor
1 – Permanent Position
People and Culture
Schedule II, Level 9
(Non-Union – 12 Month)
$105,859 - $126,288

The Toronto District School Board adheres to equitable hiring, employment, and promotion practices.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Labour Relations, the Labour Relations Advisor will provide senior level professional advice and assistance with respect to Labour Relations matters for nine bargaining units. These include Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF), Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Occasional Teachers, Unit A (PSSP), CUPE Units B, C and D, and Skilled Trades Council Unit E. The Labour Relations Advisor will:
• Administer arbitration procedures;
• Represent the Board at meetings/hearings on unresolved/unsettled grievances and arbitrations;
• Participate on management collective bargaining teams;
• Act as table spokesperson as required durng Collective Bargaining; and
• Advise senior staff and People and Culture staff on the interpretation and implementation of arbitration settlements and awards.

Summary of Duties:
➢ Work with Principals, Managers and Senior Staff to research the facts regarding grievances;
➢ Represent the Board at meetings with union officials to resolve arbitrations, before the hearing;
➢ Draft responses to grievances;
➢ Represent the Board at mediation and arbitration hearings on unresolved/unsettled grievances;
➢ Liaise with internal and/or external legal counsel to prepare for hearings;
➢ Liaise with the Employee Relations Officers in support staff on issues arising from grievances and arbitrations;
➢ Make decisions on when and whether matters should be settled and on the language which is to be included in any settlement documents including consideration of the full cost to TDSB of any settlement;
➢ Work with the Co-ordinating Superintendent in preparation for and at Collective Bargaining. This includes research, preparation of Board bargaining proposals, analysis of Union bargaining proposals, etc.;
➢ Act as spokesperson and/or member of bargaining team(s);
➢ Provide in-service to stakeholder groups (Superintendents, Principals, Senior Managers and Managers); and
➢ Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
➢ University degree in related field (e.g. Industrial Relations, Human Resources) with five years progressively responsible Labour Relations experience in a complex, unionized environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
➢ Sound knowledge of employment and labour law;
➢ Successful Labour Relations experience including experience as a spokesperson in collective bargaining;
➢ Demonstrated knowledge of Labour Relations, (grievance and arbitration process), negotiations and employment legislation (Labour Relations Act, Employment Standards Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act, etc.);
➢ Highly developed analytical/interpretive and problem solving skills;
➢ Proven ability to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) to prepare Board responses on a wide variety of issues and communicate them to a variety of stakeholders (e.g. management, union representatives);
➢ Strong facilitation, conflict resolution, problem solving, negotiation and presentation skills;
➢ Strong leadership and team building skills;
➢ Excellent project management skills and time management skills;
➢ Proven ability to prepare accurate reports and summaries; and
➢ Computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, e-mail, internet, and employee information systems.

Special Requirements:
➢ Travel across TDSB to various meetings.
➢ Must be available to work evenings and weekends sometimes with no notice. Periodically this may be for extended periods including weekends.

Assets:
➢ CHRP designation, Master of Industrial Relations (MIR) or JD/LLB

Location: 5050 Yonge Street (Hybrid Work Eligible)
Work Year: 12 months

Please note:
Applications must be submitted using the link below by March 27, 2024:
https://tdsb-jobs.sabacloud.com/Saba/Web_spf/CA1PRD0033/jobs-jobs/career/jobdetail/jobrq000000000003940 

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Applications will not be acknowledged in writing.

The Toronto District School Board is deeply committed to promoting Truth, Reconciliation and the rights of Indigenous peoples, Human Rights, Equity and Anti-Racism, and the elimination of Oppressive Practices, in our schools, our workplace and in the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from all individuals including those with varied lived experiences that can contribute to the diversification of the workforce at TDSB.

We strive to meet the accommodation needs of persons with disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to make their needs for accommodation known in advance during the application process.

The TDSB follows a hybrid work structure where some employees may be able to work remotely at times, based on operational requirements. Please refer to Policy P103, Flexible Working Arrangements for more information.