1. Home
  2. ACADEMICS
  3. CareerTraQ
  4. A-Z Index

Labor Relations Specialist

Occupation Information table
Overview: They represent management in the investigation and settling of grievances by arranging and scheduling grievance meetings between workers and supervisors. They formulate management policies for resolving disputes between workers and management.
Duties: They negotiate with labor unions to arrive at mutually acceptable terms of wages, hours, and work conditions to be specified in labor management contracts.

They analyze the text of collective bargaining agreements to interpret the meaning and to advise managers how to comply with the agreement.

They meet with union representatives and workers to investigate and respond to workers' grievances. They design and implement grievance channels to be used by workers.

They verify management compliance with the terms of a labor contract & prepare management reports describing all violations.
Degree(s): A.A.S. Management: Marketing Concentration 
A.S. Business Administration (Accounting and Marketing) 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to decline by 2% or more from 2018 to 2028. For comparison, the average growth rate for all occupations over the same time period is projected to be 5% to 8%.
Salary Range (National Average): $32,000 to $36,000
Education Level: Typically, a Bachelor’s Degree from a 4-year college (some are 5 years) is required to be considered for this occupation.
Additional Training/Education: A bachelor's degree or preferably a master's degree in industrial or labor relations with a concentration in human resource management is desirable. Courses in collective bargaining, organizational behavior, psychology, labor law, statistics and computer applications are essential.
Recommended Skills:
  • Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Bringing people together to discuss and resolve differences.
  • Persuading, encouraging and motivating others to accept your ideas.
  • Ability to identify a problem, review related information, develop and evaluate options, and implement a solution.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Being aware of the reactions of others, and understanding why they react the way they do.
  • Talking, giving speeches, or speaking in a group to convey information, explain ideas, or give instructions.
  • Composing and communicating your ideas in written form.
Recommended Values:
  • Having a level of income that will afford you with luxuries, and which will allow you to become financially independent.
  • Being able to decide on how to get something done without significant direction from someone else.
  • Being involved in helping other people in a direct way either individually or in a small group.
  • Doing something to contribute to the betterment of the world. Doing something for the greater good.
  • Persuading and influencing others to change their attitudes, behavior, and/or opinions.
  • Gaining the respect of others by the nature and/or level of responsibility of your work.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.