Labour Relations Counsel

The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the largest airline pilot union in the world and the largest non-governmental aviation safety organization in the world seeks an experienced Labour Relations Counsel for Calgary (office located at the airport) or Toronto (Etobicoke).   ALPA represents more than 80,000 pilots at 42 airlines in Canada and the United States.  Under minimal direct supervision and within the limitations of Association policy, the Labour Relations Counsel provides assistance to pilot governing bodies and to individual members on all subjects that affect their employment.  In coordination with department managers, they apply their thorough understanding of applicable laws and comprehensive experience in Association policies and procedures to handle an extensive range of complex labour relations assignments, often on short notice, and function as a labour relations professional.

They also provide staff assistance in all phases of negotiating agreements; coordinate all activities during negotiations while concurrently maintaining communication with all interested parties; monitor and administer contracts; handle all dispute resolution matters under the collective agreement; manage actions against individual pilots; prepare summaries of Transport Canada (TC) Accident/Incident hearings; and, handle all case management functions.  They also have some limited responsibility for administrative assistants and/or paralegals employed in the office.  They actively listen, build trust, and adapt their style and tactics to fit the audience.  Infrequently, they may be called upon at any hour to respond to safety-related emergency inquiries.  Travel, significant and, at times, on short notice is required.

ALPA is a member-driven, staff supported, union with two internal professional unions.

• Legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), or similar advanced degree from an approved school of law required; or, the equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
• Member in good standing of a Provincial Bar.
• Five (5) years of related experience in labour law and litigation required; fifteen (15) or more years strongly preferred. Aviation and/or labour union experience preferred.
• French speaking and writing experience preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written – both English and French, for effective interaction with internal staff; external contacts; senior legal and aviation professionals; and, pilots – strongly preferred and a definite plus.
• Experience in collective bargaining, grievance, and arbitration preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate long-term projects.
• Demonstrated ability to use independent judgment to formulate decisions and/or solve problems, under time pressure and urgent conditions.
• Knowledge of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and/or Transport Canada (TC) regulations strongly preferred but not required.
• Experience using online legal research, Westlaw or the equivalent, preferred.
• Software: Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Note:  The physical demands described herein are characteristic of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential physical activities of this position described below.

Constantly operates a computer/smartphone/tablet.  Regularly required to maintain a stationary position, move about the office and the local metropolitan area, determine what others have said or written, and converse with others and exchange accurate information.

Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about the office and travel (locally, nationally, and internationally).  Also includes occasional bending, stooping, squatting, and/or pushing and pulling or moving, e.g., to pack, unpack, and/or move cases.

Occasionally required to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve binders, books, boxes, and files up to ten (10) pounds (lbs.).  While on travel, could be responsible to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve luggage weighing as much as 50 lbs.  (Assistance may not always be available.)           

PROJECTED ANNUAL SALARY RANGE:  CAD $ 165,261.00 – CAD $290,961.00