Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Awards
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

James Matthews

Desoto,USA

Summary

Experienced Human Resources, Employee and Labor Relations professional. Skilled communicator and prove team and relationship builder. Possesses in-depth knowledge and understanding of Labor and Employment Laws, while having extensive experience in Alternate Dispute Resolution, Union Relations, Investigations, Grievance Handling, Policy and Contract writing, administration and negotiations. Knowledgeable and trusted advisor, as well as, a proven team and relationship builder.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience

Work History

Director of Labor Relations

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
07.2022 - Current
  • Lead and Second Chair Negotiator of Collective Bargaining Agreements with the various Unions that represent our hourly workforce. Have negotiated Contracts with values ranging between $5 Million and $10 Billion Dollars. Build and lead teams comprised of subject matter experts and management representatives for the negotiations. Consult with leadership and operational management to develop agreement budget, Company strategy and objectives sought during negotiations. Update executives of negotiation status and progress, while advising them of potential obstacles and prospective solutions available to the Company in order to address these issues. Also, serves as advisor to Management on the meaning, intent and interpretation of Collective Bargaining Agreements. Maintain positive Union relations with both Local and International leadership. Stay abreast of developments within the Railway Industry, as well as, Labor Relations as a whole. Provide counsel to Management regarding employee investigations, discipline and grievance processing. Work closely with Legal, Department Leadership, Human Resources and Employee Relations departments, as well as, various SMEs to resolve potential issues and limit Company exposure and liability concerning the administration and interpretation of the various CBAs.
  • General Counsel Department

Manager of Labor Relations - Flight Operations

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
05.2018 - 07.2022
  • Oversight, administration and interpretation of CBA for Flight Operation. Provide counsel and advice to Management regarding the implementation of the CBA and employee relations issues such as, investigations, discipline and grievance processing. Maintains congenial and productive relationships with all levels of Union officials. Work closely with Legal, Department Leadership, Human Resources and Employee Relations departments, as well as, various SMEs to resolve potential issues and limit Company exposure and liability in the administration and interpretation of the various CBAs. Responsible for grievance processing through 3rd Step, including representing the Company at System Boards hearings, while participating in, or conducting, any resulting Arbitration or Mediation proceedings. Negotiate settlements, coach front line leadership on constructive Union relations, the resolution of issues before they escalate to becoming grievances. Member of the Negotiation Team for the Flight Instructors, Sim Technicians and Pilot CBAs.
  • General Counsel Department

Human Resource - Labor Relations Representative

L3 AEROSPACE
03.2017 - 05.2018
  • Maintain cordial and effective working relationship with Labor Union representing employees. Partnered with and advised Management on the implementation of organizational initiatives to assure compliance with CBA, Company policies and applicable Labor Laws. Administered, interpreted and enforced various provisions of CBA, Company policies, including Attendance. Conducted investigations concerning complaints filed by both Management and Union members. I ensure that Company policy or the CBA processes were followed and conducted in an impartial and confidential manner. Handled discharge meetings and exit interviews of employees. Monitored Personnel Policies to ensure compliance with federal and state laws. Advised Management on the handling of ADA, FMLA, OJI matters to reduce exposure and liability to the Company. Answered grievance and third-party inquiries; coordinated responses with legal counsel as necessary. Managed the grievance procedure to ensure consistent application of discipline and fair treatment of employees. Conducted New Hire training, as well as, the training of Management on the implementation of the CBA, Rules of Conduct, Attendance Policy and Union Relations.

Human Resource / Employee Relations Consultant (Founder)

CROWN H.R. CONSULTANTS
06.2008 - 03.2017
  • Provide consultation and training for clients and organizations on Labor and Employment Law issues, including Federal and State employment laws, Title VII, FMLA, ADA, ADEA, while minimizing legal exposure. Reviewed internal policies on diversity, sexual harassment and work place violence. Consulted and partnered with clients on Human Resource administration, talent acquisition and development, total rewards, succession planning, employee and labor /union relations issues. Specifically, worked to minimize abuse of the various employee leaves, which are often used as an attendance, discipline, and discharge countermeasure by employees. Provided clients assistance in policy review and writing, union relations and creation of a productive work culture based on trust and the principle of partnership across all levels, including exempt and non-exempt workforces. Also provides full range of ADR, Mediation, recruitment, talent management, evaluation, coaching, corrective action, interviewing and employee selection processes for client companies. Conduct workshops on FMLA, ADA, Worker’s Comp., Title VII for employers to administer internal policies, while curbing abuse and remaining compliant.

Supervisor

MINISTRY CALL CENTER
  • Supervised 24/7 Call Center of 75 employees, which handled over 1 million calls a year. Directly supervised 7 team leaders covering 3 shifts. Responsible for maintaining consistency of call quality and follow through of establish call protocol. Provided direction and implementation vision for the department, motivating team members and maintaining excellence in service to partners and friends. Supervised the conducting over 200,000 disaster calls to partners and friends who were subject to natural disasters. Monitored and oversaw the collection, consolidation of information, organized and synthesized data collected into reports used for follow up for relief or personal calls. Handled issues within the department between team leaders and team members. Provided coaching, training and development planning for evaluation and coaching of both team members and leaders. Provided coaching, training and development planning for teams and leaders. Maintain productive relationships with other department’s leadership to ensure a productive working environment.

Director of Labor Relations

BNSF RAILWAY
  • Lead team of managers and administrators in the administration, implementation and interpretation of 10 Collective Bargaining Agreements, having system wide responsibility for the proper and timely payment of protection benefit per agreement. Worked closely with other directors within and without the Labor Relations department, Legal, Human Resources and other departments, as necessary, in resolving issues, the coordination of strategy and planning in the promotion and protection of Company policy and interests. Meet and collaborated bi-annually with other railroads to stay abreast of recent developments within the industry and to prepare for upcoming negotiations.

Labor Relations Manager

BNSF RAILWAY
  • As Labor Relations Manager, was responsible for the administration, implementation and interpretation of multiple union agreements (Engineers, Conductors, Yardman, Switchmen, Brakeman, Signalmen and Maintenance of Way unions) on the railroad. Daily interaction with all levels of labor union representation, while maintaining congenial and productive relationships with the unions. Worked closely with Law Department and Human Resources departments, and various levels of operational leadership both locally and at field locations to address issues concerning the administration and interpretation of the agreements. Participation in Law Board, Arbitration and Mediation hearings. Responsible for grievance processing through 3rd Step. Conducted claim settlement conferences with Union officials to keep grievance resolution up to date. Negotiated settlements on behalf of the company of persistent issues within my area, while recognizing the impact of such settlements upon other crafts and the need to maintain management’s objectives. Served as a liaison and resource for field management and supervision on the enforcement of company policies and procedures, in considering the various employment laws. Consulted and coached field leadership on resolving issues having potential legal ramifications, conducting performance appraisals, administering attendance policies in light of the various leaves and accommodations available to employees, i.e. FMLA, PDA, ADA, Worker Compensation, Title VII, discipline and discharge procedure.

Labor Relations Manager

DMAX LIMITED
  • Responsibilities included: Union and Employee Relations functions for a multi union 1000 employee engine manufacturing plant. Administered and interpreted Labor Agreement. Negotiated and signatory on joint venture’s first National Labor Agreement. Instructed entire work force on new labor agreement. Responsible for the administration of attendance policy, corrective action and progressive discipline policies. Trained salary and hourly work force on Sexual Harassment, Work Place Violence, and grievance procedure. Administered a 3 tier Labor Agreement in conjunction with newly negotiated DMAX National Agreement. Wrote contract language and internal operating policies to comply with applicable contractual provisions, State and Federal laws. Facilitated open communication and conflict resolution between the various tenured employees and Japanese ex-patriots. Participated in Safety investigations, monitored and advised management on FMLA, ADA and federal labor law issues. Maintained congenial and productive relationship with union leadership. Instituted employee feedback mechanisms between the workforce and management to accommodate open communication before the need to initiate the grievance procedure.

Human Resource Generalist - Labor Relations Representative

DAIMLER-CHRYSLER DAYTON THERMAL PRODUCTS
  • Responsibilities included: Union and Employee Relations functions for a multi union 1000 employee engine manufacturing plant. Administered and interpreted Labor Agreement. Negotiated and signatory on joint venture’s first National Labor Agreement. Instructed entire work force on new labor agreement. Responsible for the administration of attendance policy, corrective action and progressive discipline policies. Trained salary and hourly work force on Sexual Harassment, Work Place Violence, and grievance procedure. Participated in Safety investigations, monitored and advised management on FMLA, ADA and federal labor law issues. Maintained congenial and productive relationship with union leadership. Instituted employee feedback mechanisms between the workforce and management to accommodate open communication before the need to initiate the grievance procedure.

Regional Labor Case Administrator

AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION
  • The administration of over 600-700 labor cases per year from initiation to award. Responsible for administration of grievances arising in the Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio region. Administered cases on a variety of issues (i.e. progressive discipline, discharge, work classification, insubordination, seniority, contracting out etc ). Enforced compliance with terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the rules of Arbitration, established procedure and the law. Maintained a constructive environment between the employer, union and all levels of professionals to facilitate the timely disposition of grievances. Administered any post-award challenges. Coordinated educational seminars and marketed AAA services. Conducted Alternative Dispute Training and union relations for legal and industry professionals on the arbitration, mediation, fact-finding, investigative, grievance procedure, as well as, the role of arbitrator’s mediator’s and neutrals.

Education

Juris Doctorate - Law

Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
05.1997

Master of Divinity - Theology

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
05.1991

Skills

  • Strategic Planning
  • Team Building
  • Processes and Procedures
  • Relationship Building
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Negotiation
  • Contract Management
  • Policy and Procedure Development
  • Human Resources Management
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Effective Communication
  • Self Motivation

Awards

Member of Northern Kentucky University Judicial Council and Student Government 1990-1991., Twice Recipient of the Who’s Who of American Law Students – 1996 and 1997, Chase College of Law Deans List 1996 and 1997, Recipient of the Maslin Family Law Award 1997

Affiliations

  • Co-Chair American Arbitration Association’s Cincinnati Regional Labor & Employment Law Committee 1996-1997.
  • Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society
  • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Founding Member of Rho Gamma Chapter at Northern Kentucky University.

Timeline

Director of Labor Relations

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
07.2022 - Current

Manager of Labor Relations - Flight Operations

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
05.2018 - 07.2022

Human Resource - Labor Relations Representative

L3 AEROSPACE
03.2017 - 05.2018

Human Resource / Employee Relations Consultant (Founder)

CROWN H.R. CONSULTANTS
06.2008 - 03.2017

Supervisor

MINISTRY CALL CENTER

Labor Relations Manager

BNSF RAILWAY

Labor Relations Manager

DMAX LIMITED

Human Resource Generalist - Labor Relations Representative

DAIMLER-CHRYSLER DAYTON THERMAL PRODUCTS

Regional Labor Case Administrator

AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION

Juris Doctorate - Law

Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University

Master of Divinity - Theology

Liberty University

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science

Northern Kentucky University

Director of Labor Relations

BNSF RAILWAY

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