Labor Relations Manager - Bilingual French

At CN, everyday brings new and exciting challenges. You can expect an interesting environment where you are 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 Labour Relations Manager (Engineering) is responsible for collaborating with leaders to identify and prepare arguments to defend the company’s position on Labour Relations (LR) issues. The role establishes, maintains, and fosters a solid working relationship with union representatives, colleagues and clients to promote a cooperative and effective LR climate.

Main Responsibilities

Labour Relations 

• Act as a partner to leaders by providing knowledge of how to properly handle LR issues, and provide advice on resolution
• Interpret clauses in the collective agreement and apply them tactfully to ensure effective and informed decision-making
• Collaborate with the business to identify and prepare arguments to defend the company’s position on LR issues
• Offer an assistance to line management in grievance handling and administration of collective agreements and all other corporate policies applicable to unionized employees with a particular focus on outreach and education with CN first line supervisors
• Hold meetings with union representatives to resolve grievances before proceeding to arbitration 
• Prepare and present grievances at arbitration 
• Prepare and conduct training on assorted LR matters such as collective agreement interpretation and application, Canada Labour Code, attendance, discipline and effective conflict resolution
• Manage people to drive and influence change efforts and create opportunities to involve others in the management of change
• Develop synergies between teams in order to improve performance and embrace team over self-mindset
• Develop and align organization on an inspiring functional vision, deliver messages with impact and engage people so they provide their best work, while ensuring understanding of complex information by different audiences
• Provide resources that are aligned with employee’s career interests through projects and development opportunities

Working Conditions

The role has standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday. Due to the nature of the role, the incumbent must be able to meet tight deadlines, handle pressure and manage stress. The role may require regular monthly travel (25% to 50%) if the incumbent’s work location is outside of Montreal, QC or Toronto, ON.

Requirements

Experience

Labour Relations

• Minimum 5 years of labour relations experience 
  1. Experience interpreting and applying collective agreements and relevant federal employment legislation
  2. Experience in the federal sector and Engineering sector* 
  3. Experience managing a grievance process, including preparation of material for arbitration 
  4. Experience preparing and presenting LR positions and arguments during union and management meetings, at arbitration, and at the bargaining table
  5. Experience assessing and analyzing operational issues and making impactful recommendations

*Any experience for these above would be considered as an asset

Education/Certification/Designation

• Bachelor’s Degree Labour Relations or equivalent 
• Master’s Degree in Labour Relations*  

*Any designation for these above would be considered as an asset

Competencies 

• Collaborates with key internal stakeholders to enable higher productivity
• Deals with pressure and change by staying calm to quickly adapt to changes 
• Inspires others with impactful communications and adapts to the audience 
• Shares timely information within and across functions to get things done effectively 
• Applies analytical thinking to make recommendations that pursue sustainable performance
• Makes informed and timely decisions to get things done
• Initiates and drives organizational changes to enable business transformation
• Influences by translating expertise into practical business outcomes 
• Leverages feedback and coaching to improve performance 

Technical Skills/Knowledge

• Knowledge of LR principles 
• Ability to analyze complex information and asks probing questions to formulate substantive recommendations or make decisions that consider a longer-term view
• Fluently bilingual both written and verbal (English, French)

About CN 

CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. 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. As the only railroad connecting Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the Southern tip of the U.S. through a 19,500 mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. At CN, we work as ONE TEAM, focused on safety, sustainability and our customers, providing operational and supply chain excellence to deliver results. 

Effective November 1, 2021, CN requires that all employees in Canada be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof thereof as a condition of employment. The Company’s vaccination mandate extends to employees of our wholly owned subsidiaries as well as CN’s contractors, consultants, agents and suppliers and anyone who accesses CN properties in Canada.