Senior Collective Bargaining & Employer Relations Specialist

About the Role

Working collaboratively with union staff, member leaders, and external stakeholders, the Senior CBER Specialist independently manages complex grievances, leads assigned contract negotiations, and develops strategies to address workplace issues and strengthen employer accountability. This position also serves as a technical resource to colleagues, supports the development of member leaders, and contributes to improving collective bargaining and employer relations practices across the organization.

Essential Job Functions 

• Member Support & Dispute Resolution:
  • Independently manage complex workplace disputes and grievances, including but not limited to evaluating contractual violations, conducting investigations, developing resolution strategies, and negotiating settlements.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert on contract interpretation, grievance procedures, dispute resolution strategies, and employer compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
  • Provide technical guidance and support to CBER colleagues and other union staff on grievance handling, contract enforcement, and effective dispute resolution practices.
  • Recruit, train, and develop member Advocates in nursing homes and home care agencies to strengthen workplace representation and member leadership.
• Collective Bargaining:
  • Conduct advanced analysis of working conditions, employer practices, industry trends, and bargaining history to identify priorities and develop strategic recommendations.
  • Independently negotiate collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of understandings, grievance settlements, and other labor agreements within established organizational parameters.
  • Develop and coordinate contract campaigns in collaboration with members, bargaining teams, organizers, and organizational leadership.
  • Recruit, train, and support member leaders who serve on bargaining committees, ensuring meaningful participation throughout the negotiations process.
• Labor Management & Culture Change:
  • Lead assigned Labor Management Committee initiatives, facilitating collaboration between union representatives, employers, and member leaders to address workplace concerns and improve labor-management relationships.
  • Develop and implement strategies to strengthen employer accountability, improve workplace conditions, and advance member priorities through labor-management partnerships.
  • Represent SEIU 775 in complex employer relations discussions, joint labor-management meetings, and other collaborative initiatives.
  • Identify emerging employer relations challenges, assess potential impacts, and recommend strategies to address organizational and member concerns.
  • Recruit and develop member leaders to participate effectively in Labor Management Committees and other employer relations initiatives.
• Additional Responsibilities:
  • Contribute to the development and improvement of CBER procedures, documentation, training resources, and best practices to ensure consistent and effective representation.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert and provide technical guidance, knowledge sharing, and support to colleagues without direct supervisory responsibilities.
  • Support organizational campaigns, political initiatives, electoral activities, and membership growth efforts as assigned.
• May be required to do political work for candidates and member political education as part of job duties.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to lead complex, high-stakes collective bargaining negotiations, including negotiations involving significant employer resistance.
• Skill in developing and executing strategic bargaining campaigns that use worker mobilization, escalating pressure, and coordinated campaign tactics to achieve strong contracts.
• Ability to assess employer vulnerabilities, identify sources of leverage, and develop creative strategies to move employers toward agreement.
• Advanced knowledge of grievance administration, contract interpretation, and labor-management relations.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to independently address complex workplace disputes and develop effective settlement strategies.
• Ability to analyze collective bargaining agreements, employer practices, workplace policies, and relevant labor laws to identify risks, violations, and opportunities for resolution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex contractual and labor relations information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to provide technical guidance, share expertise, and support the development of colleagues and member leaders without supervisory authority.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive member information, confidential negotiations, and complex employer relations matters.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, database systems, and electronic case management tools.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, professional, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Minimum Qualifications: (Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job may be considered)

•  Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in labor relations, collective bargaining, grievance administration, or union representation.
• Demonstrated experience independently evaluating, investigating, preparing, negotiating, and resolving complex grievances within a unionized workplace or comparable labor relations environment.
• Demonstrated experience participating in collective bargaining negotiations, including preparing proposals, analyzing contract language, and supporting negotiation strategies.
• Experience interpreting and applying collective bargaining agreements, workplace policies, and relevant labor laws to resolve disputes and enforce contractual provisions.
• Experience working directly with union members, workplace representatives, employer representatives, and other stakeholders to resolve workplace issues.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex cases, meeting contractual deadlines, and maintaining accurate and confidential documentation.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout assigned geographic areas and work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, as organizational needs require.

 Preferred Qualifications

•  Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills.

Typical Working Conditions: The typical working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, requirements include:

• Professional office environment with frequent travel to employer worksites, union offices, and community meeting spaces across WA, MT, and AK
• Regular interaction with union members, staff, employers, and external partners in both in-person and virtual settings
• Long and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, to support negotiations, member meetings, and mobilizations
• Fast-paced, deadline-driven environment requiring management of multiple complex issues
• May be required work outside of normal business hours to include weekends, evenings, holidays, etc.

Physical Working Conditions: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, requirements include:

• Duties performed in office, meeting, and worksite environments with frequent travel by car, plane, or other transportation
• Extended periods of sitting, standing, speaking, and use of standard office equipment (computers, phones, copiers)
• Occasional lifting and carrying of materials up to twenty-five (25) pounds and setting up meeting spaces
• Navigating diverse workplace and community settings across multiple states
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and ability to travel overnight required
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside-weather conditions.  
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can elevate during events and campaign activities. 

Compensation:

Providing current or previous salary information is optional and will not be factored into hiring decisions. Prospective Employees covered by the CBA can request a copy of the wage scale, the CBA, and any current relevant MOUs upon application to the position.

This position is full-time, exempt. This position is included in the Bargaining Unit. Pay ranges from $99,696 – $119,146 per year. Benefits include vacation, holiday, and sick leave benefits, fully employer paid health, dental, vision, and life insurance, defined benefit pension plan, and optional 401(k), WFH opportunities, pet insurance, and more.

Women and diversity candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

SEIU 775 is an affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates without regard for race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, creed, gender, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetics, the presence of sensory, mental or physical disability, or any other discrimination prohibited by law. SEIU 775 works to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforces policies against discrimination and sexual harassment.

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, creed, gender, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetics, the presence of sensory, mental or physical disability, or any other discrimination prohibited by law. In addition to federal law requirements, we comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.