An Individual appointed to the Contract Specialist role is expected to serve a non-renewable one (1) year position and upon completion of the leave will be returned to his/her former job, if available, or to a comparable position in the same classification, shift, and work hours. The Contract Specialist duties will include contract interpretation and administration, contract education, guidance in grievance and problem resolution, improvement in shop steward capacity, collaborative interaction with facility leadership, work on committees to advance such goals as quality care and patient satisfaction and consistent contract application.

The Contract Specialist will partner with facility Human Resources Vice Presidents/Directors or their designees. The position of Contract Specialist is intended to enhance, not replace the role of the stewards.

The Contract Specialist must work independently and in cooperation with others. Furthermore, it is anticipated that this role will advance labor-management relations by:

• Allowing stewards more time to focus on labor-management activities at the facility and work unit level;
• Building expertise and promoting consistency in contract interpretation and implementation by partnering with local HR and facility leaders;
• Fostering collaborative relationships through effective problem solving, conflict resolution, and joint initiatives; and
• Building capacity through the development of many contract experts.

Term of Position:

Relationships/Training and Development:

The Contract Specialist will:

• Participate in, facilitate, or conduct Membership Meetings, departmental meetings, labor-management trainings, patient care committee meetings, Steward Meetings, Steward Trainings, other member education;


• Facilitate or participate on joint committees to advance such goals as quality care and patient satisfaction, employee health and wellness, and consistent contract application. The position of Contract Specialist is intended to enhance, not replace the role of the committee participants.


• Participate in and demonstrate mutual respect and effective communication in applying the skills of problem resolution,


• Communicate with workers and hospital leaders; and


• Conduct Walk-throughs, distribute literature, have member-to-member, 1-on-1 conversations, return phone calls, author emails and other correspondence.

The Contract Specialist will be considered a full-time salaried, overtime exempt employee. It is anticipated that the regular work week may require participation in meetings, travel time to trainings and other worksites, and other similar activities that may require irregular hours.

Disputes related to the implementation and maintenance of the Contract Specialist role will be referred to Hal Ruddick for SEIU-UHW, and to Renae Bugge, Director of Labor and Employee Relations for Catholic Healthcare West. (CHW).

In addition to the above, the Contract Specialist will be expected to carry out the program of the Union, as determined by the Trustee, and as directed day to day by the Hospital Division Director, or his/her designee. The Director of Labor and Employee Relations or his/her designee will have substantial input in the work of the contract specialist. In the selection process, CHW will have significant input.

The actions, decisions and judgments made by a Contract Specialist may have a profound impact on workers' lives and union-management relations. The Contract Specialist will ensure the success of the Union and success of the labor-management activities by:

• Upholding SEIU-UHW Hospital Division Policies and Structures and the program determined by rank-and-file SEIU-UHW leaders and the Trustee;
• Respecting and upholding CHW and facility policies.
• Effective communications with members, stewards and staff;
• Effective communications with hospital and CHW leaders;
• Educating and supporting members and stewards;
• Motivating members in Catholic Healthcare West to work together to protect their rights and improve the quality of their work lives;
• Working in a labor-management environment where there are differing levels of participation by management and members;
• Providing effective leadership in carrying out the goals and programs of the Union in leadership development/membership participation within Catholic Healthcare West; and
• Accepting and following direction of the Director of SEIU-UHW's Hospital Division or his/her designee with substantial input from the Director of Labor/Employee Relations or his/her designee.

Job Responsibilities

1. Is a represented CHW employee who has passed his/her probationary period and is a SEIU-UHW member in good standing.
2. Works well with the SEIU-UHW Hospital Division staff leadership, the facility Union representative/organizer, and with facility stewards, and CHW leaders.
3. Understands and accurately interprets the collective bargaining agreement and effectively represents members.
4. Identifies and prioritizes issues.
5. Identifies, recruits and helps develop member leaders.
6. Work on committees to advance such goals as quality care and patient satisfaction, employee health and wellness, and consistent contract application.
7. Is able to work independently to help build and maintain a steward system designed to empower and coordinate workers through contract negotiation, contract enforcement, and any other duties assigned.
8. Is able to assist the facility stewards and Union representative/organizer in building and maintaining a steward system designed to empower and coordinate workers through contract negotiation, contract enforcement, and Labor/Management activities.
9. The contract specialist may be called upon to handle grievances working with the union steward, or when the union steward and/or union representative is not available.
10. Trains and assists stewards in conducting and participating in effective meetings; including developing meeting agendas, conducting effective meetings, encouraging effective participation, establishing follow-up plans. Conducts appropriate follow-up and holds other participants accountable to do the same.
11. Educates workers and management how labor-management relationships work and how workers/management can/should use that knowledge.
12. Educates/Trains members, and stewards about the Union's program, the contract, leadership, contract enforcement methods and tactics, etc. Develops training curricula, designs and presents or co-presents training, seeks evaluation from program participants and continually incorporates new ideas and feedback into training.
13. Communicates using effective listening, framing issues and motivating others to participate actively.
14. Visits work sites and members on a regular basis covering all shifts.
15. Participates in meetings with facility leaders and management.
16. Attends and participates in staff meetings held for Contract Specialists.
17. Remains an employee of Catholic Healthcare West.
18. Completes all required administrative tasks (e.g., grievance forms, letters, appropriate time keeping, etc.) in a timely manner.
19. Maintains accurate record keeping on facility records.
20. Performs other duties as assigned.
21. Is able to work weekends, nights and holidays, as required.
22. Is able to travel occasionally out of the area, within the state of California.
23. Deals effectively with frequently changing priorities, changes in plans and schedule changes.

Ability to carry out the responsibilities of the job, using independent judgment, seeking and accepting advice and direction in appropriate circumstances;

1. Ability to learn (or have knowledge of) a relevant special body of knowledge including labor law like NLRA, MMBA, FLSA, Cal OSHA, FMLA, Title 22, ADA, Workers Compensation, etc.
2. Recognized and respected by workers and management as an effective advocate who is able to maintain good relations with a variety of people.
3. Proponent of constructive problem-solving to resolve labor-management issues.
4. Knowledge of workers, the workplace, labor, and political issues affecting our members
5. Excellent interpersonal skills as demonstrated by the ability to relate, establish and cultivate respectful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds at all levels of the organizations.
6. Dedication to workers' rights and social justice
7. Dedication to the mission and values of CHW.
8. Believes in SEIU-UHW and its programs and positively promotes SEIU-UHW at all times.
9. Skilled at managing and meeting many and varying deadlines
10. Effective informal and formal negotiating , problem solving, and conflict resolution skills
11. Effective demonstrable oral, written and listening skills in English; bilingual skills highly desirable Excellent analytical and judgment skills as demonstrable by the ability to assess information and evidence and act strategically
12. Excellent organizational and prioritizing skills, showing flexibility as needed; adept at dealing with conflicting/changing priorities
13. Effective skills in meeting leadership and facilitation, and in organizing for successful meeting attendance and participation.
14. Ability to work and organize independently and/or as part of a team

Assignment

Tools: