Union Negotiator

Union Negotiator

JOB DESCRIPTION

The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 401 is Alberta’s largest private-sector union, representing approximately 32,000 members working in diverse industries, including retail, food processing, beverage production, hospitality, gaming, healthcare and education. We are a local union of the 1.3-million-member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, representing working people across North America.

UFCW Local 401 is seeking an experienced and committed Union Negotiator to work from either our Edmonton or Calgary office.

The Union Negotiator will lead collective bargaining on behalf of UFCW Local 401 members and play an important role in developing bargaining strategy, engaging members and building strong negotiating committees. The successful candidate will manage and track multiple sets of collective agreement negotiations and provide strategic recommendations to advance bargaining objectives.

This position requires more than technical bargaining skills. The successful candidate must be able to educate, mentor and engage members throughout the bargaining process, including proposal development, negotiations, membership meetings, strike votes and ratification votes.

Applicants must understand and demonstrate a strong commitment to trade union principles and values. Local 401 represents a culturally diverse membership, and the Union Negotiator may also participate in community, labour and cultural events that strengthen relationships with the communities our members come from and improve our ability to represent them effectively.

The position requires regular travel throughout Alberta and may occasionally require travel outside the province. The successful candidate must be available to work occasional evenings and weekends and participate in on-call duties as required.

Applicants must have a valid Class 5 driver’s licence and a minimum of six (6) years of continuous driving experience, no major convictions, no more than three (3) minor convictions, and no claims or accidents in the last three (3) years. A driver’s experience letter may be required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Collective Bargaining and Negotiations

• Lead and participate in collective bargaining on behalf of UFCW Local 401 and its members.
• Prepare thoroughly for negotiations, ensuring relevant collective agreements, bargaining history, research, proposals and supporting documentation are available and understood.
• Work with members, bargaining committees, Union Representatives and Local 401 leadership to identify clear and achievable bargaining objectives.
• Develop and recommend bargaining strategies and tactics based on the priorities established by members and the Union.
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of bargaining positions and anticipate employer arguments, priorities and responses.
• Listen carefully to differing perspectives and identify opportunities for agreement without compromising established bargaining objectives.
• Demonstrate patience, resilience and sound judgment during difficult, lengthy or contentious negotiations.
• Recognize when discussions should continue, when a change in strategy is required and when a pause in negotiations may be productive.
• Communicate persuasively and effectively in situations involving disagreement, opposition or conflict.
• Maintain accurate bargaining notes, records, proposals, settlements and other required documentation.
• Coordinate and monitor multiple bargaining files and ensure bargaining timelines and commitments are appropriately tracked.
• Provide regular updates and strategic recommendations to Local 401 leadership.
• Work toward strong collective agreements that advance members’ priorities while recognizing and preparing for all lawful bargaining outcomes, including mediation and labour disputes where necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Membership Engagement, Ratification and Strike Votes

• Plan and conduct membership meetings related to collective bargaining, including proposal meetings, bargaining updates, ratification meetings and strike votes.
• Explain collective agreement language, bargaining developments and voting procedures clearly and accurately.
• Communicate complex labour-relations issues in plain language that members can readily understand.
• Adapt