Labor Liaison

General Overview

• Under the general supervision of the Senior Labor Liaison Officer acts as a liaison with union representatives on behalf of County management during contract negotiations and documents proceedings.

• Assists Senior Labor Liaison Officer with collective bargaining issues and works with the Senior Labor Liaison Officer and Director of Labor (or designee) in determining negotiation positions, policies, and strategy.

• Under the general supervision of the Senior Labor Liaison Officer, acts as a spokesperson on behalf of the County during contract negotiations and impact bargaining sessions.

• Coordinates and attends strategy meetings, negotiation sessions, and assists in the compilation of County negotiation proposals.

• Documents all management and union negotiation proposals, maintains control of all tentative agreements in negotiations, and works with counsel and union representatives to compile the union contracts.

• Prepares union contracts and wage scales for Board approval. Directs and coordinates implementation of wage components with appropriate County departments and offices as necessary.

• Aids Labor Counsel, the Assistant State's Attorneys outside counsel, union representatives and other entities regarding various labor related issues including wage scale and rate implementation, impact bargaining, contract implementation, and dues deductions.

• Maintains databases, records, and information from past grievance files, personnel records, salary grades of specific union job classifications and previous union labor agreement information.

• Consults with Senior Labor Liaison Officer, the Director of Labor and counsel in matters of highest confidentiality and effectively recommends policy changes and courses of action in connection therewith.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Performs research activities in conjunction with the Senior Labor Officer when necessary, related to contract negotiations for Deputy Chief of Human Resources/Director of Labor Relations, Labor Counsels, union representatives and individual County Departments whenever necessary.

• Participates in collective bargaining negotiations as a representative for the County; collects and maintains control of proposals and tentative agreements and works with the Senior Labor Counsel, Director of Labor and counsel to identify issues and develop strategy for collective bargaining.

• Works with the Senior Labor Liaison Officer and Deputy Director in determining negotiation positions, policies, and strategy.

• Assists the Labor Relations Department staff with grievance resolution and CBA disputes.

• Conducts liaison activities between management and labor union representatives to identify and resolve disputes or contractual discrepancies.

• Analyzes texts of collective bargaining agreements to ensure clarity of language and intent and may make recommendations to Senior Labor Liaison Officer for contract language revisions.

• May serve as informational resource for union contract negotiations by conducting research and furnishing reference documents and statistical data to the management negotiating team.

• As directed by the Senior Labor Liaison Officer, assists in the resolution of unfair labor practice charges and arbitration cases.

• As directed by the Senior Labor Liaison Officer assists with the implementation of terms and conditions of collective bargaining agreements; works closely with County departments, including Comptroller, Budget office, Enterprise Technology, and Human Resources to implement cost of living adjustments, reclassifications and salary upgrades, and other economic matters.

• Monitors and coordinates the timely preparation of Resolutions for the County Board and Health and Hospital System Board for approval of wages and contracts.

• Prepares resolutions for the County Board and Cook County Health and Hospital System Board for approval of wages and contracts.

• Receives and reviews correspondence from various trade organizations regarding annual trade rate changes including prevailing rate.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of County policies, protocols and technical vernacular used throughout each union labor agreement for the County.

• Knowledge of all Cook County labor relations functions, principles, techniques, contract terminology, office practices and procedures

• Thorough knowledge of business communication principles and techniques, contract terminology, office practices and procedures relative to labor relations.

• Skill in resolving labor/management contractual negotiation disputes.

• Skill in scrutinizing text of contractual labor agreements.

• Skill in the use of the art of diplomacy and confidentiality with arbitrators, attorneys, County employees, County managerial personnel and union representatives.

• Ability to conduct research functions for purposes of providing accurate documentation and statistical data for union contract negotiations.

• Ability to communicate effectively with tact and courtesy and to conduct oneself in a professional manner.

• Good communication skills: ability to gather information from others and make inquiries; ability to convey information and explain or describe County policy and procedure to others in person or by telephone.

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