Job Details

Union Contract Specialist

The Union Contract Specialist manages collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), wage scales, and fringe benefits within enterprise resource planning (ERP) and payroll systems. This role supports multiple business units and is responsible for rate configuration, compliance auditing, and cross-system data maintenance. The Union Contract Specialist partners with unions, business leaders, HR Operations, and IT to ensure accurate payroll setup for union employees.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with HR, HROps, Labor Relations, and business operations to resolve employee pay issues
• Serve as escalation point for union payroll issues
• Partner with HROps and business operations to configure system updates during contract negotiations
• Collaborate with payroll, operations, HR, and union representatives to ensure accurate interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements.
• Translate complex CBAs and local union rules into rate tables, pay classes, and project cost codes within ERP and payroll software
• Update wage increases, shift differentials, and fringe benefit formulas across system applications in advance of effective dates
• Collaborate with payroll to execute retroactive pay increases when updated rates are not received from the union in a timely manner
• Maintain union rate tables, deduction codes, fringe benefit calculations, and related payroll configurations.
• Audit payroll and ERP data to ensure compliance with negotiated agreements, reciprocity requirements, and benefit contribution rules.
• Research and resolve union pay discrepancies, deduction issues, and contract interpretation questions.
• Coordinate implementation of union contract updates across payroll, HR, ERP, and related systems.
• Partner with IT, Payroll, and HROps to test and validate system changes associated with wage, deduction, and benefit updates.
• Support payroll system enhancements, process improvements, and union-related compliance initiatives.
• Ensure alignment between contract requirements and system configuration across multiple business units.
• Lead union audits across payroll, finance, and business units.
• Maintain documentation of union contract provisions, system configurations, wage schedules, and process procedures
• Communicate upcoming wage and fringe benefit changes to impacted stakeholders.
• Support reporting, audits, and requests for information related to union payroll compliance.
• Ensure documentation and audit evidence are maintained for union-related payroll processes and controls.
• Provide subject matter expertise and guidance on union payroll matters to payroll, HR, and operational teams.
• Serve as a resource for training and knowledge transfer related to union contract administration and payroll processing.

Desired Skills and Experience

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in payroll, union administration, human resources, or a related field required.
• FPC or CPP preferred.

Experience

• 3+ years of union payroll experience, including union rate management, preferably within the construction industry.
• Experience administering multiple local union agreements and related payroll requirements.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Deep knowledge of multi-local union rules, reciprocity agreements, and deduction structures for dues, pensions, and health funds, preferably within the construction industry.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to interpret complex contractual language and translate requirements into system configurations.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to payroll accuracy and compliance.
• Ability to standardize processes and drive continuous improvement.

Salary Range: $80k-$110k, depending on experience