Labour Relations Officer

Applications are invited for the full-time position of Labour Relations Officer for the Association of Employees Supporting Education Services (AESES), bargaining agent for more than 3,200 employees of the University of Manitoba, The University of Winnipeg and St. Andrew’s College.

AESES Business Office
c/o Colleen Thompson
880 Harrow Street East
Winnipeg, MB
R3M 3Y7
- Position: Labour Relations Officer
- Salary (Annual): $74,802.00 - $111,347.60, plus benefits package
- Proposed Start Date: January 6, 2025
- Hours of Work: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (occasional overtime will be required with this position)
- Probation/Trial Period: 840 hours worked
- Location:AESES Business Office, 880 Harrow Street East

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**Contract Administration and Grievance Handling**
- Provides advice to individual members and to appropriate officers regarding grievance matters to ensure that full consideration is given to policy/legal issues, evidence and conflicting arguments in the decision-making process. The incumbent is responsible for each stage of the grievance process and, in conjunction with the Contract Administrator(s), prepares and presents arguments on behalf of the member. The Labour Relations Officer is responsible for filing grievances, and presenting related arguments, on behalf of the Association. Reports to the Executive Council on specifics of grievances and recommends courses of action (e.g., proceeding to arbitration).
- In conjunction with the Contract Administrators, and the Association’s legal counsel when necessary, is responsible for the investigation and resolution of informal and formal unfair labour practice charges and arbitration cases filed against the Association.
- Provides advice and recommendations as to conflict resolution to the appropriate officer(s) in situations of conflict between the interests of individual members and Association policy.
- Responsible for sick leave and long term disability cases for members, including short and/or long term accommodation strategies, through attendance at Return to Work meetings with the Employer and affected employees. Provides support and advice to members in relation to their Collective Agreement and statutory rights.
- Attends meetings with employees undergoing attendance management to provide support and advice to members. Becomes involved when medical opinions are being sought, accommodation needs are being assessed and implemented, or if discipline is being applied.
- Provides support to members involved in Respectful Workplace complaints. May assist members with finalizing a formal complaint for submission and/or in responding to a complaint. Attends investigation meetings with members where requested.
- Attends meetings with laid off employees and employer representatives to explain provisions of the Collective Agreement.
- Conducts legal research and analysis in the areas of administrative law, civil procedures, rules of evidence, labour relations generally, duty of fair representation, legislation, policies and collective agreement provisions and other areas, both on own initiative and as directed.
- Prepares grievances for individual members and the Association which may include conducting investigations, interviewing witnesses, and accumulating documentary evidence for grievance cases.
- Provides advice on referrals to legal counsel and acts as the primary liaison with outside counsel. The Labour Relations Officer also maintains ongoing records for individual cases and assists outside counsel in developing the case.
- Provides advice and assistance in discussions with the employer and/or the Labour Board concerning the exclusion of employees from a bargaining unit for which the Association is certified or desires to be certified as the bargaining agent.
- Ensures that legal requirements are met in organizing drives.
- Provides advice, information and assistance to members regarding employment matters, working conditions, university policies, and the Collective Agreement provisions.
- Documents problems and their resolutions for the reference of other Association staff, elected officials, and members.

**Collective Bargaining**
- Supports the Association’s activities in collective bargaining and assists Negotiation Committees and Bargaining Teams in reviewing contract proposals submitted from the membership, Executive and Board. Recommends new provisions and amendments to the Collective Agreements, drafts contract language, and provides information, advice and bargaining strategies.
- Ensures that the Executive and Board are informed as to the status of the bargaining process by providing regular updates and/or bringing matters of importance to their attention.
- As a staff member of the Negotiation Committees and Bargaining Teams, may be appointed as joint spokesperson for the Bargaining Teams to present the Association’s position and/or participate in discussion of complex material.
- Prepares all c