Manager of Labour Relations

The Durham District School Board acknowledges that many Indigenous Nations have longstanding relationships, both historic and modern, with the territories upon which our school board and schools are located. Today, this area is home to many Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that the Durham Region forms a part of the traditional and treaty territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, the Mississauga Peoples and the treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation.

It is on these ancestral and treaty lands that we teach, live and learn.

This statement was co-created in partnership with the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island.

Reporting to the Senior Manager of People and Culture, the Manager of Labour Relations serves as a key member of the Durham District School Board's (DDSB) People and Culture leadership team, providing senior-level expertise, leadership and strategic labour relations advice to support operational effectiveness and the delivery of DDSB's strategic plan. The Manager leads a team of Labour Relations Specialists to support leaders at all levels of the organization.

As a subject matter expert, the Manager works with the bargaining units to foster a climate of positive and collaborative labour relations, ensuring compliant, equitable, and legally sound labour relations practices.

M anage and Lead L abour R elations Functions :

• Oversees DDSB's labour relations function and provides expert leadership and advice to internal partners
• Provides expert interpretation and application of collective agreements, employment legislation and DDSB policies
• Leads the management relating to all labour relations matters including grievances, arbitrations, OLRB proceedings, collective agreement application, interpretation and administration.
• Resolves disputes with the board's 10 bargaining units through the grievance process.
• Maintains and builds positive relationships/ trust with all employee groups (Union and Non-Union) on behalf of the Board.
• Represent DDSB in grievance meetings, mediations, arbitration hearings
• Manage and oversee the implementation of grievance settlements, resolutions, layoff entitlements and arbitration awards.
• Conduct and oversee workplace investigations relating to labour relations matters.
• Monitor and analyze trends in grievances, case law, complaints and other legislative developments to identify risks, opportunities and inform bargaining.

• Leads collective bargaining and the bargaining committee during collective agreement negotiations for teachers and education workers and terms and conditions of employment for non-union groups.
• Develops the bargaining strategy and secures mandate required to direct negotiations.
• Leads the research and preparation for bargaining, drafts language for all proposals and coordinates the Board's bargaining team to achieve consensus in developing positions and reaching agreements.
• Responsible for administering terms and conditions of employment for the Principal and Vice Principal and Management, Professional and Administrative employee groups.

• Responsible for leading a team of Labour Relations Specialists to support leaders at all levels of the organization in fulfilling their strategic priorities.
• Manage and participate in major strategic projects and initiatives which support the department strategy and contributes to the board's strategic plan.
• Contributes to the development of People and Culture policies and procedures.
• Oversee labour relations operations including coordination, performance management and staff development.
• Coll…