Email Job to a Friend

Forward this job posting to someone via email. We do not store the addresses or use them for any other purpose.


Title: Director, Labor Relations
Company: Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
Location: Houston, Texas
Job Status: Full-time
Job ID: 119246
Website: https://jobs.ridemetro.org/
Basic Functions:
Directs the Labor Relations function and staff, which includes negotiation, implementation, and administration of the bargaining unit labor agreement, including the interpretation and intent of the Labor Agreement terms. Performs duties in a safe, efficient manner and in compliance with all applicable rules and safety procedures.

Responsibilities and Specific Duties:
  • Administers the labor agreement by providing guidance, direction, application and interpretation to managerial and supervisory employees in contract disputes, Memorandum of Understandings (MOU's), grievances, and all employee actions affecting or affected by the labor agreement.

  • Guides and monitors issues from represented employees and administers METRO's policies, procedures, and guidelines.

  • Reviews and updates the labor work rules as needed.

  • Plans and advises METRO management regarding labor agreement negotiations. Acts as the principal spokesperson of METRO negotiations teams in all union labor agreement negotiations.

  • Acts as principal METRO representative in contact with the Union on all matters pertaining to disciplinary actions, promotions, demotions, transfers, separations, layoffs, wage adjustments, and grievance/arbitration hearings.

  • Performs personnel administrative functions of direct report staff (e.g. training, supervising, work assignments, timesheets, performance evaluations, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining necessary staffing, enhancing the productivity of staff and ensuring necessary department outcomes are achieved.

  • Assists managers in counseling and disciplining represented employees.

  • Develops and provides training to managers on labor issues and trends, including administration and facilitation of disciplinary and grievance processes.

  • Assists in the preparation of arbitration hearings, lawsuits, bargaining unit labor agreement negotiations.

  • Serves as project manager on quarterly Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) criminal history investigations of all METRO employees.

  • Responsible for grievance reports, disciplinary action reports, Labor Relations weekly reports, and other SAP reports as needed or requested for special projects.

  • Conducts surveys of other transit properties on wages, benefits, and special issues for Union as needed.

  • Participates in new hire orientation.

  • Approves all bargaining unit employees Employee Change Forms (ECF) and union job descriptions.

  • Promotes safety awareness and other employee safety procedures in efforts to reduce or eliminate accidents.

  • Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations or related field required. Minimum of eight (8) years' experience in a Human Resources environment with an emphasis on labor relations, including a minimum of five (5) years management experience, preferably in a unionized environment.

Excellent communications (written/verbal) skills. Strong problem-solving abilities, judgment and decision-making skills. Strong interpersonal and excellent customer service skills. In-depth knowledge of policies and practices in Labor Relations, negotiation strategies, job bid regulations, classifications and policies concerning wages. Human Resources certification, (i.e. PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) is preferred.

Additional Information:
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas has a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy for all employees. All internal and external applicants will be required to undergo drug testing before employment and will be subject to further drug and/or alcohol testing throughout their employment.

Further, employees who perform safety-sensitive functions will submit to drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulatory requirements.

We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information or disability.

Please submit all applications at https://jobs.ridemetro.org/.

When applying, mention that you saw this opening listed at TransitTalent.com.