Director Labor Relations

Hiring Salary Range : $ 164,000.00 - 198,975.00

This range represents the hiring range. Salaries are determined individually depending on skills and experience. You will also be eligible to an annual bonus, employee share investment program (ESIP), Pension, Benefits, Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB) and other perks.

At CN, everyday brings new and exciting challenges. You can expect an interesting environment where you're part of making sure our business is running optimally and safely―helping keep the economy on track. We provide the kind of paid training and opportunities that long-term careers are built on and we recognize hard workers who strive to make a difference. You will be able to thrive in our close-knit, safety-focused culture working together as ONE TEAM. The careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us!

Job Summary

The incumbent is responsible for overseeing all aspects of labor relations in the United States, with additional responsibility for a portion of labor relations in Canada. The role consists of collective bargaining, collective agreement applications and interpretations, and development of strategic initiatives impacting employees while ensuring consistency within and across borders. The incumbent is a strategic advisor to senior leaders on complex business issues. The Director creates a cohesive vision and global approach to keep CN's labor relations liabilities to a minimum.

Main Responsibilities

Collective Bargaining

• Participates in Section 6 National Bargaining on behalf of CN under the Railway Labor Act
• Meet with key internal stakeholders within various business units to review collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) before they become amendable
• Research past agreements, arbitration awards, and Public Law Board decisions to develop persuasive bargaining positions
• Act as CNs lead at the collective bargaining table and present arguments that drive commitment to favorable CBAs for CN business units
• Lead collective bargaining in Canada as the chief spokesperson

Developing Strategic Initiatives

• Work with Vice-Presidents on CBA impediments and risk evaluations pertaining to their groups
• Ensure CN's vision is consistently applied so that CBAs are beneficial for both labor organizations and CN and customer disruptions are minimized
• Provide strategic advice on CBA terms, coordinate with national multi-employer bargaining efforts (e.g., National Carriers' Conference Committee) where applicable, and plan for upcoming amendable dates
• Ensure cohesiveness of CBAs between various groups so that all negative impacts to CN are avoided (work stoppages, disputes, self-help actions, etc.), leveraging the RLA's status quo and cooling-off provisions

Contract Administration and Grievance Handling

• Evaluate complex grievances that require quick resolution through keen interpretation of CBA provisions and past practice
• Engage with labor organization representatives to understand the foundations and facts of disputes, distinguishing between minor disputes (grievances) and major disputes under the RLA
• Oversee the preparation and presentation of cases before the National Railroad Adjustment Board, Public Law Boards, and special boards of adjustment
• Manage interactions with the National Mediation Board (NMB) for mediation of bargaining impasses and potential arbitration proceedings

Working Conditions

The role is based in Homewood, Illinois and has standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday and is eligible to participate in CN's hybrid work model. The position requires frequent travel across the United States and occasional travel to Canada. The role involves managing priorities and delivering work within established timelines, with support from the team to ensure sustainable and effective workload management. The successful candidate will be expected to learn, including on their own time, applicable Canadian labour laws and relevant legislative statutes if not already known.

Requirements

Experience

Labour Relations

• 15 years of labour relations experience

o Collective bargaining with specific experience as spokesperson

o Demonstrated experience with collective agreements including creation, application and interpretation

o Experience managing employees

o Railway industry experience*

o Human Resources Management*

Any requirement marked with (*) will be considered an asset (not mandatory).

Education/Certification/Designation

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, or equivalent

Competencies

• Knows the business and stays current with industry trends to elevate expertise and work
• Applies analytical thinking to make recommendations that pursue sustainable performance
• Makes informed and timely decisions to get things done
• Influences by translating expertise into practical business outcomes 3Director, Labour Relations
• Tracks metrics to achieve ambitious targets and holds self accountable to meet performance expectations
• Initiates and drives organizational changes to enable business transformation
• Collaborates with key internal stakeholders to enable higher productivity
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Builds and maintains an internal network to support a better overall work experience
• Deals with pressure and change by staying calm to quickly adapt to changes
• Negotiates towards a win-win outcome while taking all points of view into consideration
• Fluently bilingual both written and verbal (English, French)*
• Any skills/attributes for these above would be considered as an asset

Technical Skills/Knowledge

• Knowledge of CN's Labour Relations policies and procedures
• Knowledge of the US Railway Labor Act and the National Labor Relations Act
• Knowledge of Canadian legislation such as the Canada Labour Code and the Canadian Human Rights Act*
• Ability to research legislation and jurisprudence
• Critical thinking and organized
• Ability to be a strategic advisor to different levels of internal leaders

About CN

CN is a premium railroad that sustainably generates value for our customers, shareholders, employees, and stakeholders with an unwavering commitment to safety and service. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. CN''s network connects Canada''s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through a 20,000-mile rail network. CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN powers the North American economy and is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

At CN, we are dedicated to building North America''s safest, most inclusive and sustainable railroad, which includes reflecting the communities in which we operate. Research shows that candidates often don''t apply unless they feel they fit the job posting at 100%. To all potential applicants, even if you don''t meet every job requirement listed in a posting, we still encourage you to apply. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodations), please get in touch with our team at cnrecruitment@cn.ca.

As an equal opportunity employer, qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

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