HR Business Partner - Federal & Labour Relations
Job Description
Key Outcomes
• Strategic Labour Relations Leadership: Provide trusted advice on unionized workforce matters, support grievance handling, investigations, and bargaining, and maintain collaborative union relationships.
• Employee & Manager Support: Act as the first point of contact for HR and LR inquiries, coaching leaders on employee relations, performance management, and policy application.
• Operational HR Excellence: Deliver accurate, timely, and compliant administration of payroll inputs, benefits, pensions, onboarding, and employee data.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure practices meet all applicable federal legislation, collective agreements, and company policies, with well-documented case management.
• Data-Driven Insights: Provide reporting and analysis (turnover, absenteeism, grievances, engagement) that identifies trends and drives actionable solutions.
• Business Partnership: Align HR and LR support with business priorities, contributing to strategies that enhance employee engagement, culture, and operational effectiveness.
Duties & Responsibilities
Labour Relations
• Advise leaders on collective agreement interpretation and application, ensuring consistent practices and compliance.
• Lead or support grievance handling, workplace investigations, and dispute resolution, achieving fair and timely outcomes.
• Contribute to collective bargaining preparation by analyzing data, costing proposals, and drafting contract language; support negotiations as needed.
• Foster constructive relationships with union representatives through professionalism, transparency, and problem-solving.
• Monitor LR trends and recommend proactive strategies to strengthen union–management relations and reduce risk.
Human Resources Business Partnership
• Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees on HR policies, employee relations, and organizational practices.
• Coach managers on performance management, progressive discipline, and employee development.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and workforce planning to ensure the right talent is in place.
• Partner with leadership on employee engagement and change management initiatives that build trust and improve culture.
• Provide insights and recommendations to leadership by analyzing HR metrics such as absenteeism, turnover, and engagement.
HR Operations & Compliance
• Oversee accurate payroll inputs, pension plan maintenance, benefits coordination, and employee data management.
• Maintain comprehensive and compliant HR and LR documentation for reporting, audits, and case management.
• Ensure all HR and LR practices comply with federal employment legislation, collective agreements, and company policies.
• Uphold the highest standards of confidentiality, professionalism, and process integrity in all HR practices.
Qualifications
Education & Credentials
o Post-secondary degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, Industrial Relations, or a related field.
o CHRP/CHRL designation (or in progress) strongly preferred.
Experience
o Minimum 5 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in Labour Relations within a unionized, federally regulated environment.
o Proven experience in grievance handling, investigations, and collective bargaining preparation (e.g., costing, drafting language, supporting negotiations).
o Demonstrated success coaching and advising leaders on complex HR and LR issues.
o Experience managing rotational or remote workforce HR challenges, particularly in marine or transportation industries an asset.
Knowledge & Expertise
o Strong knowledge of federal and provincial employment legislation (Canada Labour Code, Pay Equity Act, Human Rights Code, OHSA, WSIA, ESA, etc.).
o Solid grounding in HR practices, including recruitment, performance management, engagement, and development.
o Ability to analyze HR and LR data and convert insights into actionable strategies.
Skills & Competencies
o Skilled at building trust and influencing leaders, managers, and union representatives.
o Strong consultative, negotiation, and conflict-resolution abilities.
o Exceptional communication (written, verbal, presentation) and interpersonal skills.
o Highly organized, with the ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
o Professionalism, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
o Bilingualism (English/French) considered an asset.
Compensation Data
Annual Salary : 80 000 CAD to 105 000 CAD