Director of Labor Relations

Position : Unifi seeks an experienced labor relations professional to join its growing legal team to provide collective-bargaining and general labor relations guidance and assistance to Unifi’s operators and professionals throughout the country. The position is part of the Legal Department and reports directly to the Associate General Counsel, Labor & Employment, but the position will interact frequently with members of the Human Resources and Finance Departments. The position will also collaborate with multiple operational leaders on strategic labor matters.

The position must use knowledge, experience, and skills in labor relations to address and resolve highly complex issues in accordance with Unifi’s policies and labor relations mission. The position requires excellent analytical skills, written and oral communication skills, and the ability to effectively interface with internal and external stakeholders and clients. Building and maintaining strong professional relationships with union personnel is a must.

The Unifi team administers approximately 45 labor agreements covering 12,000 employees across the country for Unifi and its affiliated entities.

Responsibilities

• Lead collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations and develop comprehensive labor strategies that align with business objectives and company strategy.
• Strategic and thorough preparation for bargaining, including establishing bargaining goals and objectives, and identifying the issues to be covered, the anticipated points of concern, the language goals and parameters, required decision—making authority, and the balance between management rights and employee rights.
• Contribute to the development of model contract language that can be included in labor agreements.
• Work independently with local management to ensure that negotiation objectives comply with strategic goals and applicable laws and regulations.
• Apply advanced understanding of labor relations concepts to pursue Unifi’s objectives and long-range strategy during informal negotiations and at the bargaining table.
• Assist with contract implementation following execution of negotiated agreement and other approved policy changes as necessary.
• Provide expert policy and contract guidance to Company representatives to ensure local compliance with strategic goals set forth in policies and as achieved through contract negotiations.
• Interpret, administer, and ensure compliance with highly complex collective bargaining agreements, providing guidance to site leaders and HR professionals on contract provisions, policies, and procedures.
• Advise Unifi managers and HR professionals on labor relations implications relating to complex individual and company-wide issues and courses of action.
• Prepare and deliver training to ensure positive employee relations at non-union locations, reinforcing Company values and best practices.
• Obtain working understanding of commitments made at the bargaining table in the achievement of strategic objectives and incorporate into training materials and compliance analysis.
• Provide guidance and support to site leaders during periods of potential union organizing, ensuring full compliance with the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
• Manage grievance and arbitration proceedings to ensure resolution and alignment with Company standards and labor agreements.
• Establish and maintain on-going rapport with union leadership to understand contract application concerns and ensure early resolution when possible.
• Comprehend union strategic objectives and work with unions to determine possible harmonization into Unifi strategies.
• Work in a highly collaborative manner with diverse client groups across the Company, external contacts, and members of Unifi management at all levels on various issues.
• Advise Unifi colleagues on requests for information and other projects and topics.
• Initiate appropriate action and coordination to resolve significant, escalated, or exceptional policy issues.
• Promote internal and external organizational teamwork using collaborative problem-solving skills.
• Provide clear and timely implementation of documents for represented employees that meet the operational needs of the Company.
• Lead and / or participate on teams to address issues as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain familiarity with market and HR trends and recommend changes to policies and programs.
• Work with the HR team and internal / external counsel, assisting in all labor relations activity.

Qualifications & Skills

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