Labor Relations Employee

Gregory Stephenson, J.D.

*********@*****.*** • linkedin • New York, NY • 917-***-****

Employee & Labor Relations Director

Accomplished legal executive with 20 years of experience in labor and employee relations. Demonstrated aptitude for successfully steering the company’s navigation through state, federal, and industry legislation to optimize employee management. Effective communicator with a solid track record of performance in contract negotiations, arbitrations, union disputes, disciplinary hearings, and mediations. Proven talent for developing policy, procedure, and processes that improve employee and labor relations while driving company progress toward objectives.

• Negotiation & Lobbying Tactics

• Business Strategies

• Legislative Expertise

• Employee & Labor Relations

• Government Affairs

• Conflict Resolution

• Process Improvement

• Public Policy

• Regulatory Compliance

Career Experience

Director of Labor Relations – Compass Group USA, New York, NY 06/2023 to Present Accountable for assisting operational management in achieving labor relations environments that are cost-effective, cost-competitive, consistent with Company policies, procedures, and work rules, and free of unnecessary litigation. Position expertly negotiates and administers collective bargaining agreements and provides internal consultation and training to operational management.

● Assist in identifying and implementing strategic labor objectives.

● Partners with HR and Operations in educating employees on all organized labor issues; reviews, interprets, and makes recommendations on company policies and procedures regarding labor issues; and serves as an organizational resource in raising issues that may result in a gap between stated organizational goals and actual practice.

● Analyze regional and nationwide bid opportunities and attend proposal meetings with potential clients, as assigned by the VP of Labor Relations.

● Acts as chief spokesperson for multiple labor agreements.

● Oversees fact-finding process and provide input when necessary to investigations for site grievances and employee disciplinary issues.

● Acts as company advocate in mediation, arbitration, and other government proceedings. Assistant Director of HR-Labor & Employee Relations – Research Foundation of C.U.N.Y, New York, NY 03/2022 to 03/2023

Maintains supervisory responsibilities while directly reporting to the Senior Director of Human Resources. Exercises independent judgment delegated in the fulfillment of duties and responsibilities assigned in concert with the Senior Director. Fulfills the day-to-day operation of the labor and employment relations unit of the Department of Human Resources for Research Foundation employees in the field and the central office.

● Sustain exemplary standards of personal and professional ethics while staying informed of current activities in labor employment relations.

Gregory Stephenson, J.D.

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● Participates in the administration of collective bargaining agreements.

● Responsible for the investigation and reporting of employee complaints and grievances.

● Renders advice and counsel to supervisors in personnel matters, and maintain good communication and professional relationships with supervisors, employees, and personnel of affiliated and external organizations.

● Models standards of quality customer service and supports the development of new staff.

● Monitors resources to achieve efficiencies and improve customer service while communicating effectively with staff on other related projects.

Director – Labor & Employee Relations, 92nd Street Y, New York, NY 10/2017 to 10/2019 Advised on all labor and employee relations matters, including both day-to-day recommendations and establishment of long-term best practices. Provided guidance and counsel in contract interpretation, negotiations, performance management, and grievance and arbitration hearings, thereby increasing management proficiency. Aided senior leadership team in resolving HR issues, understanding contractual provisions, and identifying corporate policy violations.

● Steered collective bargaining agreements including contracts, negotiation, and interpretation for better management understanding.

● Consistently consulted with leadership team on the impact of evolving labor laws and union contractual obligations regarding program and operational initiatives, thereby reducing potential grievances.

● Delivered pragmatic, best practice counsel for managing employee relations including motivation, leadership, and performance management, which increased employee morale and engagement.

● Oversaw all aspects of the employee discipline, grievance, and union arbitration processes including preparing and finalization of disciplinary charges.

● Conducted sensitive workplace investigations by way of compiling witness testimony, factual evidence, and preparing Executive summaries for review by Associate Executive Director and Executive Leadership Team. Community Representative, Jamaica Community Partnership, Jamaica, NY 08/2015 to 09/2017 Represented Community Partnership Program (CPP) at public events, conferences, and family meetings. Reported insights gather from community outreach to Child Safety & Family Team to address needs, strengths, and resources. Identified tangible lessons from workgroup interactions and conferences.

● Facilitated a supportive and comfortable environment for families before and during conferences designed to encourage open dialogue.

● Reported on Administration for Children Services (ACS) monthly zone debriefings to program leadership.

● Alerted Conference Workgroup Co-lead and Children Services about concerns garnered from Community representative reports and conferences, leading to better communication and understanding of family services needs.

Gregory Stephenson, J.D.

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Manager – City Government Relations, Consolidated Edison Company, New York, NY 05/2012 to 03/2015 Advanced company legislative agenda and designated interests. Negotiated complex legislative provisions. Guided the development and implementation of strategies to meet Corporate objectives.

● Built and maintained relationships with NYC councilmembers, legislators, committee members, the office of the mayor, and the NYC City Law Department.

● Monitored local, regional, and national affairs and policies in order to identify potential impacts to company.

● Prepared documents for public hearings and review processes before administrative and legislative bodies including company position papers, executive briefing books, memoranda, and public testimony.

● Coordinated integrated company positions on legislative issues with federal and state company representatives to protect brand image and meet business objectives.

● Filed state and city regulatory lobbyist and client reports ensuring company’s compliance with lobbying rules and regulations.

● Collaborated with Corporate Communications unit to implement company safety, health, and environmental programs.

● Oversaw the administration of the Company Political Action Committee. Labor Relations Administrator, Consolidated Edison Company, New York, NY 03/2005 to 05/2012 Counseled line organizations on UWU and IBEW union contract interpretation, disciplinary matters, and grievance handling. Advised senior leadership teams and 25 human resource generalists.

● Contributed to Negotiations Team by way of benchmarking process to identify trends and best practices in labor relations.

● Served as company representative at unemployment hearings with the Department of Labor.

● Managed the labor arbitration process including evidence collection, witness preparation, oral presentations, material exhibits, and brief submissions on appeal. Contributed significantly to the dramatic reduction of arbitration case load back-log.

● Trained over 50 new managers, field supervisors, human resources managers, and external hires annually on labor relations.

● Established consistent application of labor relations process and procedures among field operations units, with the creation and presentation of corporate policies and procedures.

● Reduced number of grievances significantly by frequent interaction with EEO, Law Department, and union business agents to ensure consistent understanding and application of corporate labor relations policies and procedures.

Additional experience includes Labors Relations Administrator for MTA in New York. Gregory Stephenson, J.D.

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Education

Juris Doctor

Texas Southern University, Houston, TX

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL

Associate of Arts in Political Science

Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL

Professional Training & Certifications

Certificate, N.A.A. Federal Sector Arbitration Law & Practice, Federal Mediations & Conciliation Service Certificate, Program on Negotiation, Harvard Law School Certificate Program on Contract Administration, Cornell University Certificate Program on Collective Bargaining, Cornell University

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