Senior Labor Relations Manager

As a Senior Labor Relations Manager supporting Tech Ops, you'll serve as a subject matter expert on the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) and International Brotherhood of Teamsters Airline Division (IBT) Collective Bargaining Agreements, providing strategic guidance to Leaders on their interpretation and administration. You'll help ensure the consistent application of contract provisions, advise on complex labor matters, and represent the Company's position throughout the grievance and arbitration process. This role partners closely with union representatives, Leaders, and internal stakeholders to resolve disputes, foster collaborative relationships, and support positive, productive labor relations across the operation.

Additional Details

• The culture of Southwest Airlines means we value the camaraderie, collaboration, and innovation that occurs when we come together and interact face-to-face at our vibrant Corporate Campus. Due to the nature of this role, you would be required to work from our Dallas, TX Headquarters facility during business hours. 

• U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. required and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.

We’re committed to fair hiring practices and to making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics. 
 

Responsibilities

• Oversee onboarding and training for new Labor Relations Employees focused on labor administration to include grievance resolution, System Board, and Arbitration preparation training

• Update the Department Onboarding Manual as needed

• Develop and administer training material for Company Leaders related to fact-finding, System Board players, and investigation training

• Call or meet with union, Company, government, or other interested parties to discuss labor matters, such as contract negotiations or grievances.

• Advises Leaders who lead employees covered by collective bargaining agreements on disciplinary issues and Company policies

• Monitor Company or workforce adherence to labor agreements

• Present the position of the Company or of labor during negotiations and arbitration and prepares summary of Company arguments in written briefs

• Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor processes

• Interpret Union contracts as they relate to Payroll, Leaves of Absence, Bid processes, and other work rules

• Consult Senior Leadership on all areas of Union contractual issues and correspondence system-wide for contract Employees

• Negotiate, prepare, and distribute settlements for grievances, including from System Boards and Arbitrations

• Act as an advisor to Leaders to help meet deadlines or resolve complex problems

• Provide expert testimony in legal proceedings related to Labor Relations or labor contracts

• Communicate grievance denials and resolutions between the Company and union

• Prepare documentation to present at Systems Boards, Med/Arbs, and other grievance meetings

• Ensure compliance with contractual timelines and inputting details into Company database

• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Collective Bargaining Agreements

• Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems

• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources

• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and term