Occ. Code 8523200

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Specification

Positions in this series are concerned with collective bargaining practices and procedures under the New York State Labor Relations Act, including controversies concerning the representation of employees for the purpose of collective bargaining, and with the mediation or arbitration of disputes between management and labor. Positions in the Employment Relations Board determine whether there has been an unfair labor practice, whether there is a question or controversy concerning representation, what the proper bargaining unit is, and how elections should be held. The Labor Mediators in the Employment Relations Board are concerned with the mediation or arbitration, on a voluntary basis, of all types of industrial disputes. Duties require a good knowledge of State and Federal labor legislation and pertinent court decisions, of the policies of labor and management organizations, and of the process of collective bargaining.

Positions engaged in the conduct of formal hearings on unfair labor practices or representation cases are classified in the Trial Examiner Series. Attorney positions engaged in the legal work of the administration of the New York State Labor Relations Act are classified in the Attorney Series.

LABOR MEDIATOR, arranges conferences between principals in labor disputes and acts as mediator or arbitrator at such conferences: interviews officials of industry and labor organizations in regard to issues in dispute; conveys proposals and counter-proposals between contending parties and formulates suggestions and proposals in an attempt to effect a peaceful settlement; conducts arbitration proceedings; keeps informed on labor problems, cost of living, industrial and commercial activities, and other conditions in the various industries; applies such information to the adjustment of differences between employers and employees; and prepares preliminary and final reports. QUALIFICATIONS: Five years of full-time paid experience or its part-time equivalent in the process of arbitration, negotiation, mediation or adjustment of contracts, grievances, or disputes between unions and employers and either graduation from college or two more years of the above experience. One year of graduate training in the field of labor relations or one year of teaching experience in such field may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

SUPERVISING LABOR MEDIATOR, has charge of the mediation and arbitration activities of a regional office of the Employment Relations Board: assigns mediation of labor disputes in both interstate and intrastate commerce to a small group of Labor Mediators; gives advice and acts as consultant at various stages of the mediation; designates Labor Mediators or private citizens to act as arbitrators of labor disputes; obtains and maintains the goodwill and confidence of labor, industry, governmental agencies, and the public in the integrity and desirability of the mediation and arbitration services provided by the Board; as mediator, interviews major officials of industry and labor organizations in regard to issues in dispute and, through clarification, suggestion, and persuasion, helps the parties reconcile differences and effect a peaceful settlement; maintains records of cases handled in the region and submits reports to the Board thereon. QUALIFICATIONS: One year of permanent service as Labor Mediator.

Reviewed: 7/02

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.