Labor Relations Specialist

The Labor Relations Specialist supports the organization’s labor and positive employee relations strategy by assisting in the preparation for and administering collective bargaining agreements and creating and executing positive employee relations strategies.  Working closely with HR partners, operations leaders, and legal counsel, the Specialist applies data-driven insight and disciplined project management to strengthen labor-management relationships and advance a positive employee relations environment. This is a remote-eligible role with approximately 25% travel.

Project Management

•     Plan, coordinate, and execute labor relations & positive employee relations initiatives and cross-functional projects, managing scope, timelines, milestones, and stakeholders.

•     Maintain project documentation, track deliverables, and report progress and risks to leadership.

•     Coordinate resources across HR, legal, and operations to ensure timely completion of labor relations priorities.

Data Analytics

•     Collect, analyze, and interpret labor relations - grievance volumes, arbitration outcomes, case cycle times, and union request for information trends — to identify patterns and inform strategy.

•     Build and maintain reports, dashboards, and metrics that provide leadership with visibility into labor relations activity and risk.

•     Translate analytical findings into actionable recommendations for HR and business leaders.

Labor Systems, Tools & Processes

•     Administer, maintain, and continuously improve labor relations case management systems and supporting tools.

•     Develop, document, and standardize processes, workflows, and templates to drive consistency and efficiency.

•     Serve as a subject-matter resource on labor relations systems, ensuring data integrity and effective adoption.

Training & Development

•     Develop and maintain training materials, toolkits, and job aids that support positive employee relations and labor relations activities across the organization.

Positive Employee Relations

•     Promote a positive employee relations environment through proactive engagement, coaching, and manager enablement.

•     Deliver training and guidance to managers on labor relations principles, contract administration, and constructive labor-management practices.

•     Build and sustain productive relationships with union representatives, employees, and business partners.

Contract Administration

•     Interpret, apply, and administer collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and related policies.

•     Advise managers and HR partners on contract language, compliance, and consistent application across the organization.

•     Maintain contract records and support contract interpretation, clarification, and implementation.

Responding to Grievances

•     Investigate, respond to, and resolve grievances across all steps of the grievance procedure.

•     Gather facts, interview relevant parties, document findings, and prepare clear, well-supported written responses.

•     Track grievance activity and partner with stakeholders to reach timely, fair, and consistent resolutions.

Preparing for Arbitration

•     Prepare cases for arbitration, including evidence gathering, exhibit preparation, and case-theory development.

•     Coordinate with legal counsel, identify and prepare witnesses, and organize case documentation.

•     Support post-arbitration analysis and incorporate outcomes into future labor relations strategy.

Requests for Information

•     Prepare responses to union requests for information, including position statements and supporting documentation.

•     Partner with legal counsel and internal stakeholders to develop and execute response strategies.

•     Monitor union request for information trends and recommend proactive measures to reduce exposure.

Required/minimum qualifications

Preferred Qualifications 

• •     Experience with labor relations or HR case management systems and data visualization/reporting tools.
• •     Advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, PHR/SPHR) in a related field.
• •     Analytical and data-driven thinking
• •     Negotiation and conflict resolution
• •     Communication with Stakeholder  and influence without authority 
• •     Attention to detail and documentation
• •     Relationship building and collaboration
• •     Integrity and confidentiality
• •     Adaptability and resourcefulness
• •     Travel: Approximately 25% to support site visits, negotiations, arbitration hearings, and stakeholder engagement.

Labor Relations IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $86,100 - $169,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $113,300 - $187,400 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.