Labor Relations Manager

CHRISTOPHER A. BROWN

***** ********* ***** ********, ** 92562

Home 951-***-**** Cell 951-***-**** ************@*****.***

LABOR OR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS DIRECTOR

HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

Over 24 years of experience in Labor Relations with a track record of proven

effectiveness as a leader and negotiator with exceptional diplomacy skills.

Proficient in providing full range of representation to members encompassing grievance

handling to the arbitration level; contract negotiations; training and mentoring elected Local

Union leadership; and presenting at government commissions and committees to promote

union objectives.

Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills; communicate well with management,

legal personnel, employees and people from diverse backgrounds. Able to perform as liaison

between employees, clients and government agencies.

Knowledgeable in Personnel Benefits Administration, Workers’ Compensation

management, Wage and Hour Law, Discrimination Law, Union Organizing Techniques and

Negotiations, Unfair Labor Practices, Documentation, Accounting and Finance.

Organized, detailed time management, able to prioritize multiple tasks, work in high

pressure environments and do what it takes to get the job done.

Strong researching and policy analyzing abilities to effectively gather pertinent

information related to specific projects.

Conducted investigations involving EEO, Wage and Hour and Unfair Labor charges.

Experienced in developing and presenting workshops and seminars to improve personnel

and management relations.

Outstanding troubleshooting skills; identify employment related problems and implement

appropriate solutions.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS/LOCAL 501, Los Angeles, CA 1993 - 2012

Business Manager

Managed daily operations to support union member issues, with full accountability for the

annual operating budget and 30 employees. Developed annual strategic plans including

budget management, staffing, salaries, expenses and facilities/vendor management.

Provided representation on behalf of Union Members throughout Southern California leading

a team of 16 Business Representatives. Ensured ongoing communication with union

members to proactively represent members and address key issues including wages, benefits,

and individual concerns.

Chairman of 3 Union Trusts: Security (Health and Welfare) Trust Fund, California Joint

Apprenticeship Trust and Nevada Joint Apprenticeship Trust.

Recruited and led a high performance group of 30 employees (Business Representatives and

office support personnel). Hired, trained, mentored, counseled/terminated and performed

annual performance reviews.

Negotiated union contracts for the private and public sectors. Led negotiations for high

profile contracts. Provided on-going training to junior Business Representatives selected to

be on the bargaining team to enhance their knowledge and skills in labor relations.

Oversaw and assisted Business Representatives handling grievances including arbitration,

investigating liability, interviewing members, participants and witnesses.

Met closely with elected Executive Board members in the operation of the Local Union.

Conducted monthly district meetings and semi-annual meetings for members on union

activities with specific employers, political issues, new laws, and other relevant topics.

Content management oversight for websites and quarterly newsletter. Revamped visual look

and quality of content which was well received by members. Edited articles submitted by

Business Representatives and wrote articles on relevant topics to members.

Continually accepted increasing levels of responsibility throughout tenure.

SAN DIEGO EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION, San Diego, CA 1988 - 1993

Industrial Relations Director

Provided representation for 2,500 Member Employers in the Southern California, including

non-profit and for profit companies in the private sector.

Expertise in contract negotiations, enforcing contract agreements and responded to NLRB

charges.

Negotiated contracts with unions of behalf of employers with a strong record of successful

renewals with no strikes.

Responded on behalf of employers to discrimination charges, unemployment insurance

hearings, worked closely with State and Federal government agencies.

Counseled employers with ADA, FMLA, EEO, Wage and Hour and Union activities.

Taught classes for department managers/supervisors in Employment Law, Discipline,

Documentation and Organized Labor serving as a human resource subject matter expert.

Integral role as a subject matter expert (SME) at the annual Legal Update meeting speaking

on key employment topics to employers.

Coordinated organizing campaigns with owners to foster positive employee relations.

Retained as a Guest Speaker on employment issues for various organizations.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

CERTIFICATIONS / DESIGNATIONS

San Diego Employers Association - Trustee for Employer/Union Trust

Operating Engineers Union - Chairman of 3 separate Trusts Funds

Operating Engineers Union - Treasurer of the Western Conference of Operating Engineers

Dale Carnegie - Public Speaking Certificate

EDUCATION

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, VISTA, CA

B.A. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, EMPHASIS IN LABOR RELATIONS AND HUMAN RESOURCES

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, PHOENIX, AZ

CERTIFICATE IN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

PALOMAR COLLEGE, SAN MARCOS, CA

A.A. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND CERTIFICATE IN SUPERVISION

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