Who are we?

Founded in 1966, the Public Service Alliance of Canada represents 245,000 workers in every province and territory in Canada and in locations around the world. PSAC is headquartered in Ottawa with regional offices across the country. PSAC strives to enhance its members’ quality of life and has been at the forefront of significant and successful campaigns for workplace and human rights; Learn more about our victories.

We will support your mental and physical health with:

• Flexible work arrangements (hybrid employees may have their own dedicated workstations).
• Group benefits (health, dental, life insurance, disability insurance, employee and family assistance), such as $7,500 for mental health professionals, that are 100% paid by the employer. Defined benefit pension plan (50/50 contribution from you and us).
• Three weeks’ vacation to start, plus extra paid leave to support your wellness.
• Generous support for your professional growth and career development.
• $800 per year recreation allowance.

Primary Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Manager Labour Relations, and as a member of the Labour Relations and Human Resources teams, the HR Advisor, Labour Relations  provides advice to management on internal labour/employee relations matters within a unionized environment and supports the operational and strategic goals and objectives of the PSAC.

The position has primary responsibility for providing comprehensive labour relations/legal advice and support services in representing the interests of the employer in staffing, policy development, collective bargaining, and dispute resolution in accordance with numerous collective agreements, policies and across all provincial, territorial and federal legislations.

What you will bring to the table:

Education/Experience

• Completion of a law degree from a recognized university, called to the bar and a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial law society.
• Experience representing the employer in adjudication before Boards of Arbitration, the Ontario Labour Board, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Human Rights Tribunal, Pay Equity Tribunal, and other forums for dispute resolution.
• Two (2) to Four (4) years of experience working in an Employee/Labour Relations role in a unionized workplace.
• Knowledge of several Human Resources disciplines, including job analysis and design, recruitment, staffing, compensation, attendance management, learning and development, pension/benefits administration, employee orientation, feedback process, diversity management and organizational design.
• Experience managing all levels of the grievance process in accordance with the applicable collective agreements, including researching legal precedents, gathering evidence, providing advice, attending grievance hearings and drafting responses.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the political and operational inter-relationships within a large national union organization and a thorough understanding of the sensitive political and social issues between an employer union and its internal bargaining agents.
• Strong knowledge of legal research methodology and mechanisms to develop alternative dispute resolution approaches.
• Strong knowledge of the principles of employment equity, human rights obligations and accommodation in the unionized workplace.
• Knowledge and understanding of Labour Relations initiatives and activities that are impacting upon the PSAC and the broader labour movement.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of labour management strategies, interpretations, positions and approaches to provide advice on internal union matters.
• Knowledge of the structure, mandate and mission of the PSAC as well as the broader political and legislative context in which it functions.

Abilities

• Ability to analyze and interpret federal, provincial and territorial labour legislation, board decisions, case law, and arbitral jurisprudence and negotiate effective solutions to complex legal issues.
• Strong communication, negotiation and presentation skills, with the ability to provide specific Labour Relations advice, training and communicate complex information for the intended audience using various methods.
• Highly developed written skills to prepare information bulletins, analysis, grievance responses and reports.
• Ability to deal effectively with conflict, build credibility and trust between parties and support/promote union-management partnerships.
• Strong analytical, research, evaluative and problem-solving skills to interpret complex legal issues to ensure compliance between legal imperatives. collective agreements and internal policies, directives and guidelines are met.
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet firm deadlines.
• Second language skills as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level indicated above.

Personal suitability

• Excellent judgment, political acuity and demonstrated problem solving, consultative, persuasive and conflict resolution skills to provide sound direction and advice on a variety of complex labour relations issues to all levels of management and staff.
• Effective interpersonal skills; dependability, reliability and flexibility.
• Ability to work in a political organization with often competing priorities as well as a commitment to union and social justice issues.
• Availability to travel as required.

What you need to know:

• Second language level indicated above is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Preferred candidates may have their second language skills assessed as part of the hiring process. However, valid federal government SLE results can be used toward this.
• PSAC welcomes applications from candidates with diverse and international experience.
• PSAC does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select candidates.
• Interviewed candidates will be notified of the hiring decision within 45 days of their final interview
• While we appreciate all the candidates’ interest, only those considered in the process will be contacted.
• A full job description is available upon request.