Labor Relations Consulting Services

The vendor is required to provide for developing and maintaining effective working relationships with employee organizations; negotiating collective bargaining agreements; conducting meet-and-confer sessions on matters.
- Serve as the county’s chief spokesperson and lead negotiator during collective bargaining negotiations and meet-and-confer sessions; and act as a strategic advisor on employer-employee relations matters to the board of supervisors (board), county administrator, director of human resource services (HRS director), and designated county staff.
- Must provide meeting summaries as requested.
- Attend and participate in planning meetings, closed sessions, public meetings, hearings, and staff meetings related to county labor relations matters, as assigned. Meetings are mostly conducted in person but may be available virtually, depending on the nature of the meeting and county requirements.
- Advise the board and county leadership on potential labor relations impacts and outcomes of proposed actions; implement board directives; and maintain accountability for assigned work.
- Develop and recommend negotiation strategies to support successful outcomes, including assisting in the preparation of management proposals, costing considerations, and bargaining positions.
- Serve as the county’s chief spokesperson in situational meet-and-confer sessions as needed, including but not limited to matters involving layoffs, organizational changes, statutory or regulatory changes, pension modifications, work schedule changes, and revisions to departmental rules or staffing models.
- Consult with county representatives and, as requested, coordinate with the county’s actuarial, pension, and health and welfare consultants to support the design and evaluation of compensation and benefit strategies. Written consultation summaries must be provided as requested.
- Provide labor relations consulting, coaching, and training to county management and supervisory staff, as requested.
- Advise and consult with county staff on grievance handling, dispute resolution, and related processes, including preparation for arbitration or other proceedings as needed.
- Advise the county on current and emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in public sector labor relations.