Labour Relations Advisor

Labour Relations Advisor

The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the largest airline pilot union in the world and the largest non-governmental aviation safety organization in the world (representing over 80,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines), seeks an experienced Labour Relations Advisor for our Montreal or Toronto office, located in Etobicoke.  Under general supervision and within the limitations of Association policy, the Labour Relations Advisor handles a variety of labour relations assignments while providing assistance to pilot governing bodies and to individual members on all subjects that affect their employment. They provide staff assistance in all phases of negotiating agreements and function as project manager while coordinating activities during negotiations, which includes ensuring compliance with the Canada Labour Code; researching and analyzing pilot collective bargaining agreements; drafting pilot proposals and/or assisting in preparation of opening proposals and other contract language; drafting status reports on negotiations; maintaining communications with all interested parties; and, preparing analyses of new agreements and sending summaries to department managers. They may act as chief ALPA spokesperson at the bargaining table, participate in direct negotiations and conciliation sessions, and may write and/or review negotiation and pilot leadership communications with the membership.  They will assist with the contract ratification process and, once an agreement is ratified, will participate in the contract's successful implementation.

Contract enforcement responsibilities includes answering pilot questions about the collective agreement; advising pilots about possible contract violations; processing disputes to settlement and/or assisting in preparation of disputes to final adjudication including, conducting pilot intake(s), analyzing and drafting grievance(s) and/or appeal(s); interacting directly with Company(ies) in an attempt to resolve disputes; assuming role as ALPA spokesperson in mediation and/or other forms of alternative dispute resolution; drafting grievance submission to arbitration and/or assisting in case preparation for arbitration; and, participating in settlement discussion(s) regarding grievances.  They assist with Transport Canada (TC) actions against individual pilots which requires an understanding of the Canadian Air Regulations (CARs), the procedures governing such administrative actions, and the responsibility for and the ability to analyze the subject matter and assist in preparing a case for the affected pilot; provide day-to-day assistance to pilot governing bodies and their committee structures which may involve attending Master Executive Council (MEC) meetings; helping with the development and administration of an MEC's Strategic Plan; and, other activities as required.  They actively listen, build trust, and adapt their style and tactics to fit the audience.  Travel, significant and, at times, on short notice is required.

Local, national, and international travel:  25 - 45%; sporadically, up to 75% during end-stage negotiations.

ALPA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in a safe workplace. We prohibit discrimination, harassment and harmful behaviour of any kind based on race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, caste, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics, including Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities, as outlined in federal or provincial laws.  We highly value everyone and all are encouraged to apply, including minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

ALPA is a member-driven, staff supported, union with two internal professional unions.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant area, e.g., Labour Law or related field, from an accredited college or university is required, or the equivalent combination of education and practical experience.  Advanced degree may be substituted for some experience.
• Five (5) years of related experience with the Canada Labour Code, Labour Relations Act, and the Trade Unions Act, preferably in aviation; fifteen (15) or more years strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and/or Transport Canada (TC) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate long-term projects.
• Demonstrated ability to use independent judgment to formulate decisions and/or solve problems under time pressure and urgent conditions.
• Bilingual written and oral communications skills, both French and English, preferred but not required.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written, for effective interaction with internal staff, external contacts, senior legal and aviation professionals, and pilots.
• Software:  Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Physical Demands:

Note: The physical demands described herein are characteristic of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential physical activities of this position described below.

Constantly operates a computer/smartphone/tablet.  Regularly required to maintain a stationary position, move about the office and the local metropolitan area, determine what others have said or written, and converse with others and exchange accurate information.

Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about the office and travel (locally, nationally, and internationally).  Also include occasional bending, stooping, squatting, and/or pushing and pulling or moving, e.g., to pack, unpack, and/or move cases.

Occasionally required to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve binders, books, boxes, and files up to ten (10) pounds (lbs.).  While on travel, could be responsible to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve binders, boxes, cases, and/or files weighing as much as 50 lbs.  (Assistance may not always be available.)   

ALPA offers competitive salaries with enhanced benefits, including:

• Non-elective employer contributions of 14% made to individual RRSP account after 180 days of employment.
• 15 days paid vacation and 13 holidays per year plus 2 volunteer days per year;
• Generous sick and bereavement leave;
• Company-paid premiums for family supplemental health care (supplemental medical, dental, prescription, and vision for employee, spouse, and dependent children), life insurance, critical illness coverage, and long-term disability insurance;
• Education Assistance Program that reimburses 100% of eligible expenses; and,
• Partial remote work opportunities are available after six months of service.

PROJECTED ANNUAL SALARY RANGE:  CAD $ 162,020.00 – CAD $285,256.00

Relocation not provided.

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