What Do Labor Relations Specialists Do?

Labor Relations Specialist Definition Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.

What do Labor Relations Specialists do On a Daily Basis?

• Propose resolutions for collective bargaining or other labor or contract negotiations.
• Assess the impact of union proposals on company or government operations.
• Draft rules or regulations to govern collective bargaining activities in collaboration with company, government, or employee representatives.
• Develop methods to monitor employee satisfaction with policies or working conditions, including grievance or complaint procedures.
• Prepare evidence for disciplinary hearings, including preparing witnesses to testify.
• Present the position of the company or of labor during arbitration or other labor negotiations.

Labor Relations Specialist Needed Skills

These are the skills Labor Relations Specialists say are the most useful in their careers:

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Types of Labor Relations Specialist Jobs

• Industrial Relations Counselor
• Industrial Relations Worker
• Union Steward
• Conciliator
• Labor Relations Analyst

What Kind of Labor Relations Specialist Job Opportunities Are There?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 81,100 jobs in the United States for Labor Relations Specialists.

Labor Relations Specialist jobs are decreasing by a rate of -7.7%. This means the total job opportunities are shrinking. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a loss of -6,300 jobs for Labor Relations Specialists by 2026. There will be an estimated 6,800 positions for Labor Relations Specialist per year.

The states with the most job growth for Labor Relations Specialists are Texas, Maryland, and Georgia.

Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, Michigan, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Labor Relations Specialists Make A Lot Of Money?

Labor Relations Specialists Make between $19,270 and $123,340 a year. The median salary is $67,790.

How much do Labor Relations Specialists make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
New Jersey	$117,470
North Dakota	$94,440
District of Columbia	$89,420
New York	$85,870
Oregon	$85,820
Maryland	$83,860
Alaska	$83,200
California	$80,270
Maine	$79,850
Pennsylvania	$78,320
Washington	$77,070
Colorado	$76,620
Hawaii	$76,140
Minnesota	$74,490
Nevada	$72,870
Massachusetts	$72,500
Michigan	$72,320
Arizona	$71,400
Vermont	$70,250
Texas	$69,310
Mississippi	$68,590
Rhode Island	$67,720
Indiana	$66,520
Oklahoma	$65,460
Virginia	$65,280
South Carolina	$64,410
New Mexico	$64,350
Tennessee	$64,020
New Hampshire	$63,830
Connecticut	$63,230
Iowa	$62,690
Florida	$62,580
Georgia	$61,620
Wyoming	$61,600
North Carolina	$59,290
Illinois	$58,620
Kentucky	$57,460
Kansas	$55,300
Missouri	$55,240
Idaho	$54,040
Montana	$52,570
Nebraska	$51,040
Louisiana	$49,920
Arkansas	$49,660
Ohio	$47,600
Utah	$47,250
Wisconsin	$42,650
Alabama	$42,590
West Virginia	$41,930

What Tools & Technology do Labor Relations Specialists Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Labor Relations Specialists:

• Microsoft Outlook
• Oracle PeopleSoft
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office

Where do Labor Relations Specialists Work?

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons