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Labor Negotiator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

First Student

Labor Counsel

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

Serves as chief negotiator in collective bargaining negotiations for various operational locations, involving a variety of unions. * Having first-chair, chief labor negotiator spokesperson experience ...

Legacy Health

Labor Relations Negotiator

Portland, OR

$57.75 - $86.05/hr

Expert knowledge of all labor relations (negotiations, grievances, arbitrations) * Working knowledge of People and Culture functional areas (employment, benefits, compensation, employee relations ...

Legacy Health

Labor Relations Negotiator

Portland, OR · On-site

$57.75/hr

Expert knowledge of all labor relations (negotiations, grievances, arbitrations) * Working knowledge of People and Culture functional areas (employment, benefits, compensation, employee relations ...

Legacy Health

Labor Relations Negotiator

Portland, OR · On-site

$57.75 - $86.05/hr

Expert knowledge of all labor relations (negotiations, grievances, arbitrations) * Working knowledge of People and Culture functional areas (employment, benefits, compensation, employee relations ...

ATKINSON ANDELSON LOYA RUUD & ROMO APC

$120 - $180/hr

Serving as chief labor negotiator at bargaining tables, advising management in collective bargaining, responding to union demands, and handling unfair practice charges before PERB. * Conducting and ...

Conagra Brands, Inc.

Director Labor Relations

Omaha, NE · On-site

Labor Negotiations & Contract Administration * Lead collective bargaining strategies and serve as chief spokesperson during labor negotiations. * Direct negotiation preparation, costing, bargaining ...

Conagra Brands

Director Labor Relations

Omaha, NE

Labor Negotiations & Contract Administration * Lead collective bargaining strategies and serve as chief spokesperson during labor negotiations. * Direct negotiation preparation, costing, bargaining ...

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Labor Negotiator information

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$13

$46

$91

How much do labor negotiator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for labor negotiator in the United States is $46.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $60.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Which US states are not right to work?

In the United States, right-to-work laws are enacted at the state level, and currently, 27 states have such laws that prohibit agreements requiring union membership as a condition of employment. Labor negotiators should be aware of these laws, as they influence union activities, collective bargaining, and employee rights within each state. Understanding state-specific labor laws is essential for effective negotiation and compliance.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

A labor negotiator typically earns less than $4,000 per week without a degree, as the role often requires specialized training or experience. However, high-paying jobs that can reach or exceed this amount without a degree include commercial pilots, real estate brokers, and certain sales managers, which often rely on skills, certifications, or licensing rather than formal education. These roles may involve commission-based pay, overtime, or performance bonuses to reach higher weekly earnings.

What is a labor negotiator?

A labor negotiator is a professional who represents employees or employers in collective bargaining to negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions. They often work for unions or management and need strong communication, negotiation skills, and knowledge of labor laws. Their goal is to reach agreements that satisfy both parties while maintaining compliance with legal standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Labor Negotiator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Labor Negotiator, you need expertise in labor law, contract negotiation, and dispute resolution, often supported by a degree in human resources, law, or industrial relations. Familiarity with collective bargaining agreements, labor relations software, and legal research tools is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, active listening, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are vital for building trust and finding common ground. These skills ensure effective negotiation outcomes, compliance with legal standards, and positive labor-management relationships.

What are some common challenges a Labor Negotiator faces during contract negotiations with unions?

Labor Negotiators often encounter challenges such as balancing the interests of management and employees, navigating complex labor laws and contracts, and managing tight negotiation timelines. It can be demanding to find mutually agreeable solutions on sensitive topics like wages, benefits, or workplace policies while maintaining positive relationships with union representatives. Successful negotiators rely on strong communication, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills to overcome these challenges and achieve fair agreements.

How to become a labor negotiator?

To become a labor negotiator, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in labor relations, law, or a related field, along with experience in human resources, law, or union work. Strong negotiation, communication, and conflict resolution skills are essential, and some roles may require certification or knowledge of labor laws and collective bargaining processes.

What are labor negotiators?

Labor negotiators are professionals who represent either employees (usually through unions) or employers during discussions about employment terms, such as wages, benefits, working conditions, and dispute resolutions. Their primary goal is to help both parties reach a fair and mutually acceptable agreement through collective bargaining. Labor negotiators use their expertise in labor laws, contract negotiation, and conflict resolution to advocate for their client's interests while maintaining productive relationships between employers and employees.

What is the difference between Labor Negotiator vs Labor Relations Specialist?

AspectLabor NegotiatorLabor Relations Specialist
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in labor relations, law, or related field; certifications like SHRM-CP may be beneficialSimilar educational background; certifications in HR or labor relations advantageous
Work EnvironmentOften involved in negotiations, meetings, and dispute resolution, primarily in unionized settingsFocuses on employee relations, policy development, and communication within organizations
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by unions, corporations, and government agencies during collective bargainingCommon in HR departments across various industries for managing labor issues

While both roles involve labor issues, a Labor Negotiator primarily focuses on bargaining and contract negotiations, whereas a Labor Relations Specialist handles ongoing employee relations and policy implementation within organizations.

More about Labor Negotiator jobs
What cities are hiring for Labor Negotiator jobs? Cities with the most Labor Negotiator job openings:
What states have the most Labor Negotiator jobs? States with the most job openings for Labor Negotiator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Labor Negotiator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Labor Negotiator jobs are:
Labor Negotiator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Labor Negotiator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,421 per year, or $46.4 per hour.
Labor Counsel

Labor Counsel

First Student

Saint Louis, MO • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

First Student rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 314 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 75 rated education support services

Job description

First for a reason:

At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.

The Labor Counsel position is an integral role to the organization and a key functioning hands-on member of the Labor Relations/HR team. In this role you will work closely with the Labor Relations/HR leadership team, and collaborate closely with key members of the company Operational, Finance and other key support positions. Serve as a subject matter expert, providing day to day guidance on Labor Relations and related legal matters. This includes leading the preparation for collective bargaining union contract negotiations and serving as the Chief Spokesperson during collective bargaining negotiations. Serve as the company representative for related Federal, State and agency matters, including NLRB matters and conducting arbitrations and mediations.

Major Responsibilities:

  • Serves as chief negotiator in collective bargaining negotiations for various operational locations, involving a variety of unions.
  • Having first-chair, chief labor negotiator spokesperson experience is highly preferred.
  • Must be a subject matter expert in Labor Relations related matters.
  • Serve as the company representation before the NLRB on representation issues.
  • Provides Operations and HR leaders with day-to-day guidance regarding all Labor Relations related matters, such as Labor contract interpretation, regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Lead the facilitation, application, and rollout of new labor law requirements, working closely with Operations and Human Resources leaders, developing strategy and communication execution.
  • Serve as the strategic leader for collective bargaining preparation initiatives, ensuring timely and effective advanced planning.
  • Provide guidance in addressing any potential work stoppage, from Operation contingency planning to media and security involvement.
  • Collaborate closely with the Labor Relations, Human Resources, Operations and Financial team leaders in all collective bargaining preparation and execution matters.

Minimum Experience & Skills Required:

  • Minimum of 2-4 years of traditional labor and employment experience.
  • Law degree.
  • Highly effective verbal and written communication skills to include; clear, concise, and persuasive skills.
  • Computer proficiency.
  • Can function self-sufficiently and independently.
  • Must be a detailed oriented strategic leader, responsible for delivering on the execution of initiatives.
  • Ability to multitask, prioritize and manage multiple assignments while meeting deadlines.
  • Ability to work as a strong collaborative and influential team player.
  • Strong administrative skills and superior interpersonal skills.
  • Effective leadership and organization skills. Must have the ability to be a strategic thinker, develop strategy and goals, while working with individuals across the organization.
  • Travel 50% - 60%.

In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia's Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.

Company Description

About us
An industry leader famous for our yellow school buses and service and safety excellence, we’ve provided student transportation services to schools for over 100 years. Continually investing in the services of the future, we’re proud to be part of FirstGroup America – the largest provider of safe, reliable and sustainable surface passenger transportation services in North America.
Industry leader
We safely operate more than one third of all contracted school buses in North America.
Together our 50,000 school buses travel nearly 600 million miles per year — the equivalent of 1,200 round trips to the moon.
We operate in around 550 locations throughout 38 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces.
Innovation
We were the first school bus company to utilize global positioning systems (GPS), so at any one time we know where all of our buses are and how fast they’re travelling.
Passionate about safety, we’ve installed Safety Crossing Gates on the front of all of our school buses and use the Child Check-MateTM electronic reminder system to make sure no sleeping children remain inside a bus at the end of each route.
Awards & recognition
We won the Occupational Excellence Achievement Award from the National Safety Council two years in a row.
Dedicated to safety, FirstGroup received the National Safety Council’s (NSC) Green Cross for Safety Medal - the highest award for safety in North America.
Teamwork and trust
It takes a diverse team of skilled professionals to provide a safe, effective and efficient student transportation system. From our school bus drivers and location managers to routers, dispatchers and fleet technician mechanics, the work we do every day makes a big impact on the daily lives of students, parents, local communities and school district partners.
We’re very proud of our elite team of over 55,000 dedicated, caring and diverse professionals. And they are the #1 reason we’re trusted by over 1,400 school districts - more than any other provider. Everybody here plays their part in creating a positive school bus experience.
Our culture
We live and breathe our vision and values. They are embedded in our culture and drive our commitment to our customers and communities. Our culture fosters growth and promotes respect, reliability, responsibility and safety. And we recruit people who share these values and will work together to build strong and trusting partnerships in the communities we serve.
Safety – Although our safety record is twice as safe as the industry average, we continually seek out opportunities to enhance our operational and safety initiatives.
Learning – Through our learning culture that spans over 550 locations, we receive and share insight from our people to enhance our service now and in the future.
Making a difference - By doing our job well, we make a positive impact on many lives – including the millions of students who travel with us every school day.
Careers for all – We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer and an Employer of Choice.
By consistently encouraging and supporting an open dialogue with our people and partners, we’re able to share new ideas and develop new ways to meet the needs of our customers and passengers. At First Student, you’ll feel empowered to serve your community. So join the team and start to make a difference.

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