Labor & Employee Relations Associate
Bristol-Myers Squibb
- New Brunswick, NJ
- Permanent
- Full-time
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams rich in diversity. Take your career farther than you thought possible.Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: .Labor & Employee Relations AssociateJob Description SummaryReports to: Associate Director, Employee & Workforce Relations, GPS & R&DLocation: Lawrenceville, NJ or New Brunswick, NJThe Labor Relations Associate is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective work relationships amongst union representatives, BMS workforce and people leaders, with full consideration of the bilateral nature of labor relations. Activities include: preventive policies and programs to ensure positive, collaborative and sustainable work environments amongst stakeholders along with outside counsel, negotiating the collective bargaining agreement; contract administration and interpretation; and providing guidance to management on the implementation and application of the negotiated agreement.Job Responsibilities
- Serves as the Company’s negotiator in contract negotiations with the union. Maintains current knowledge of employee and labor relations trends, legal decisions, and statutory changes; conducts research necessary (or works with BMS counsel) to support contract negotiations and employee relations. Uses appropriate negotiation strategies to develop bargaining goals and negotiate contracts consistent with BMS’ mission, values and objectives.
- Serves as BMS main point of contact in the relationship with the Union and its representatives in the US, as well as responsible for supervising the Chief Steward as its formal people leader within BMS.
- Provides interpretation of labor contract to managers, employees and HR staff; oversees processes for review and resolution of employee grievances.
- Advises managers and employees on sensitive labor and employee relations matters, including grievance and arbitration procedures, performance issues and disciplinary actions; advises and assists managers in identifying employee relations issues and determining appropriate course of action.
- Provides guidance to management staff by contract interpretation, investigation and advice on a full range of employee relations matters including informal and formal grievances, development of performance management plans, and disciplinary issue.
- Facilitates on-going communication and working relationships with the union representatives.
- Serves as a member of the Employee Relations team to help identify employee relations trends and recommend solutions and partner with all levels of HR management on execution. Partner with HR leaders to drive employee relations while maintaining a neutral position and consistent approach to BMS’s policies and procedures.
- Conduct investigations, research policies/practices, create and gather documentation, make recommendations, and implement resolutions when applicable.
- May represent the Company in arbitrations and National Labor Relations Board hearings related to unfair labor practice complaints.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- May be required to work some off shift hours to support investigations at sites with multi-shift environments.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources or related field. Relevant experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.
- 5+ years progressively responsible, professional experience in collective bargaining and labor relations and employee relations activities.
- Candidate must possess strong interpersonal skills in dealing with all levels of management internally and externally.
- Strong communication skills including excellent verbal and written skills.
- Proven ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality, discretion and good judgment.
- Experience must include leading contract administration, grievance processing, performance management and disciplinary activities, conducting investigations, and facilitating on-going communication and working relationships with employee representative organizations and other Company stakeholders.
With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™ ”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in an inclusive culture, promoting diversity in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.On-site ProtocolBMS has a diverse occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to . Visit to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.BMS cares about your well-being and the well-being of our staff, customers, patients, and communities. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that all employees be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and keep up to date with Covid-19 boosters.BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.