Eileen Fleming
Buffalo,NY
Summary
Director of Labor Relations with 14+ years of experience managing and coordinating all human resource functions including staffing, recruitment and retention in compliance with multiple collective bargaining agreements and local, state and federal laws. A proven track record of using fully developed communication and organizational skills to lead and improve human resource departments and implement efficiencies. Team player with excellent communication skills and high quality work who is driven and highly self-motivated. Skilled in negotiation and dispute resolution with strong and practical problem-solving skills. Able to work well both independently and as a team member.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Labor Relations
Town Of Tonawanda
07.2012 - Current
- Manage and direct all personnel related matters and supervise staff responsible for all functions including benefit administration, compliance with PPACA, workers' compensation, safety and risk management, employment processes, civil service, ADA processing, wage and salary administration and NYSERS processes.
- Manage and coordinate recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding.
- Manage performance, create performance improvement plans and disciplinary matters for over 900 full and part-time employees.
- Conduct internal investigations and advise the Town Board, Legal and outside counsel as necessary.
- Advise all levels of Town leadership on contract administration, personnel related matters and application of current/changing law.
- Prepare, conduct and coordinate mandatory trainings including Harassment Awareness and Anti-Discrimination; Workplace Safety and Workplace Civility.
- Administer union contracts for police, white and blue collar units.
- Participate in and inform collective bargaining negotiations.
- Manage grievance administration, preside over hearings, issue answers, negotiate resolutions and participate in arbitrations.
- Supervise compliance reporting, including EEO and PPACA.
- Draft and implement policies as needed.
- Established and managed Town Covid-19 protocols and update as needed.
- Manage programming and utilization for the Kronos time-keeping system.
Deputy Director of Human Resources
Buffalo Board Of Education
03.2008 - 06.2012
- Managed day-to-day departmental operations and supervised personnel responsible for employment services, benefit administration, wage and salary administration, NYS TRS matters, including service credit.
- Advised Superintendent, Cabinet, District and Building Administrators on labor and employment matters and the application of the District collective bargaining agreements as well as the related law.
- Managed ADA requests.
- Prepared, organized and conducted seminars for teaching staff as needed.
- Participated in collective bargaining negotiations and grievances together with negotiating resolutions prior to arbitration/litigation.
- Conducted and coordinated training as needed.
- Conducted internal investigations, implemented corrective action plans, and participated in disciplinary hearings.
- Worked closely with law enforcement and NYSED on employee matters as necessary.
- Advised the Board of Education, the Superintendent and Legal as required.
Assistant Corporation Counsel, Labor & Employment
City Of Buffalo
07.2006 - 02.2008
- Represented City in judicial and administrative proceedings. Prepared pleadings and/or any required submissions.
- Prosecuted discipline matters up to hearing or negotiated resolution.
- Managed Law department and staff during Senior Deputy vacancy.
- Advised Mayor, Cabinet and executive leadership on labor and employment matters.
- Administered contracts and negotiated settlements on contract disputes including police, fire, white and blue collar and engineers.
- Provided counsel to all City departments on labor and employment matters.
Educator/Trainer/Lecturer
Lorman Eduction Services
01.2005 - 12.2006
- Prepared and presented continuing legal education.
Staff Counsel
Progressive Insurance
10.2004 - 06.2006
Staff Counsel
Allstate & Encompass Insurance
05.2002 - 09.2004
- Managed all aspects of bodily injury, subrogation, and property damage litigation files including client management and customer service, and claim resolution.
- Prepared pleadings and motions, attended pre-trial and alternative dispute resolution conferences.
- Conducted bench, jury and summary jury trials, conducted depositions and participated in arbitrations and administrative hearings.
Assistant Public Defender
Monroe County
07.1995 - 05.2002
- Represented individuals charged with felonies, misdemeanors and parole/probation violations, appearing daily in court and/or administrative proceedings in Town, City, County, and Supreme Courts and the NYS Division of Parole.
- Conducted jury and bench trials, evidentiary hearings, prepared and argued motions and appeals.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English; Political Science
Saint John Fisher University
Rochester, NYJ.D. - Law
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NYSkills
- Policy review, research, drafting and implementation
- Performance improvement plan preparation and management support
- Full knowledge of labor and employment best practices and current law
- Strategic planning
- Experience working closely with law enforcement and NYSED
- Problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication
Professional Credentials, Certifications and Associations
Professional in Human Resources, PHR, though HRCI; Admitted to practice law in NYS and the Western District of NY; Organization of Public Employers Negotiations (OPEN); NYS Public Employers Labor Relations Association (NYSPELRA) and lecturer at annual conference on FLSA; Labor Management Healthcare Fund board member; Previously a member of NYS Association of Management Advocates for School Labor Affairs (MASLA); Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA)
Timeline
Director of Labor Relations
Town Of Tonawanda
07.2012 - Current
Deputy Director of Human Resources
Buffalo Board Of Education
03.2008 - 06.2012
Assistant Corporation Counsel, Labor & Employment
City Of Buffalo
07.2006 - 02.2008
Educator/Trainer/Lecturer
Lorman Eduction Services
01.2005 - 12.2006
Staff Counsel
Progressive Insurance
10.2004 - 06.2006
Staff Counsel
Allstate & Encompass Insurance
05.2002 - 09.2004
Assistant Public Defender
Monroe County
07.1995 - 05.2002
Bachelor of Arts - English; Political Science
Saint John Fisher University
J.D. - Law
Syracuse University