Megan Krom
Broad Brook,Connecticut
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Labor Relations Specialist
State of Connecticut, Office of Policy & Management
Hartford, Connecticut
04.2017 - Current
- Performance of complex tasks relating to the administration and oversight of the State’s labor relations function
- Negotiated the 2017 SEBAC Agreement with eleven Executive Branch Agreements, cross unit agreements and 34 collective bargaining agreements statewide
- Pension and health care reform with Actuaries and consultants
- Organized and directed all 12 Executive Branch labor negotiations
- Finalized submission of all 34 collective bargaining agreements for legislative approval
- Briefings with Legislators explaining the 2017 SEBAC Agreement
- Presented NP-1 Contract to appropriations for approval by the House of Representatives and Senate
- Negotiator and chief spokesperson in collective negotiations of labor contracts within Executive Branch
- Coordinates, plans and manages assigned activities; develops or assists in development of related policy; Interprets and administers pertinent statutes, regulations and collective bargaining agreements; as a chief negotiator facilitates harmonious working relationships among parties in contract negotiations; Develops labor relations contract proposals; reviews and analyzes existing contracts as well as pertinent grievance and arbitration awards; coordinates research concerning comparative settlements; assists in recommending economic guidelines for settlement; conducts research into pertinent labor relations issues to develop negotiating positions and strategies; Reviews cost and impact analyses of union proposals; analyzes impact of non-economic proposals; Draft and negotiates precise technical contract language to effectuate agreements; Facilitates mediation process; prepares and presents state's case at binding rights and interest arbitration; prepares exhibits and witnesses; conducts legal research; prepares case briefs for submission to Arbitrator; Advises and counsels agency officials in labor relations; conducts grievance conferences with agency and union officials; issues written finding to settle grievance and preserve integrity of labor agreement; Respond to unfair labor practice complaints; ensures consistency of policies and procedures and uniform interpretation and administration of agreements; consults with and assist Office of the Attorney General in preparation of court action; may serve as a witness; performs related duties as required
- Statewide Level Designation coordination and reporting during pandemic.
Executive Assistant 1
State of Connecticut, Office of Policy & Management
Hartford, Connecticut
11.2015 - 04.2017
- Performance of complex tasks relating to the administration and oversight of the State’s labor relations function
- Represent the State at Arbitrations and Administrative Hearings which includes developing, preparing and presenting the State’s position in contested case proceedings involving various topics, including: Employee performance, discipline (written warnings, suspensions and dismissals), contract interpretation, union rights, workplace issues, compensation issues, hazardous duty benefits, layoff and recall; Conducts grievance conferences with agency and union representative; issues written findings or attempts to settle grievance through Stipulated Agreement; Respond to unfair labor practice complaints
- Second Chair for Deputy Warden Petition before the State Labor Board; witness preparation and exhibits
- 2016 layoffs: numerous meetings with Agencies and Unions, direction to Agencies to fully implement layoffs, bumping and vacancy meetings with Agencies, Unions and employees
- Oversee, supervise and coordinate all contract negotiations for all bargaining units: development of contract proposals; First and Second Chair at contract negotiation sessions, research into pertinent grievance labor relations issues to develop negotiating positions and strategies; drafting and revising of proposals, charts and other documents, meetings with agencies to discuss contract proposals and labor related issues; cost and impact of Union's proposals.
Durational Project Manager
State of Connecticut, Office of Policy & Management
Hartford, Connecticut
10.2015 - 11.2015
- Contract negotiations for all bargaining units; development of contract proposals; Special employee benefit projects.
Contract Specialist & Senior Labor and Employment Specialist & Director of Administration
Durant, Nichols & Houston, PC
Bridgeport, Connecticut
08.2001 - 09.2015
- Contract Specialist & Senior Labor and Employment Specialist Responsibilities: Labor Negotiations: Collective bargaining support for Certified (Board of Educations) and Non Certified Bargaining Units (Board of Educations, Municipalities, Housing Authorities, Private Companies and Health Care Facilities including second chair at negotiation sessions, meeting with clients, experts, contract analysis and comparison, data compilation, mediations, creation of evidentiary charts, graphs and analysis for negotiations and interest arbitration proceedings
- Review of collective bargaining agreements, suggestions and drafts of proposals, update memos to clients reflecting status of proposals, mediation sessions, tentative agreements, drafting and finalization of new agreement
- Prepare presentations on collective bargaining summaries for RTM’s, Town Councils and Board of Education’s for contract ratification
- Responsible for multi-million dollar contract cost-outs, cost savings and language impact information for Boards of Education and Municipalities
- Prepare and compile all statutory requirements for Interest Arbitration, preparation and strategy of case, issues in dispute, attend hearings and drafting/ finalizing briefs
- Prepare for negotiations, mediations and interest arbitrations for both private and public sector clients
- Interpretation and Application of Collective Bargaining Agreements: Grievances and Charges: Prepare presentation including witness preparation, subpoenas and collection of all relevant documentation/exhibits
- Assist in the resolution of employee relation’s matters including investigations relating to employee/ employer complaints, resolution to grievances, last chance agreements, termination hearings and settlement agreements
- Conduct legal research relating to labor and employment
- Past practice issues, history of negotiations research, memorandum of agreements and side letters
- Application of statutes, charters, bylaws, administrative policies and handbooks
- Employment Litigation: All aspects of pre-and pending litigation support in State, Federal and Appellate Agencies and Courts, including drafting of pleadings, cite checking, deposition digests, file organization, medical documentation retrieval, responding to discovery requests, maintaining client files, contact with clients, scheduling of depositions and related appointments, coordinating attorney schedules, preparing pre-trial memos, organizing witnesses for trial /arbitrations
- Draft, revise and finalize answers, schedules, position statements in response to charges filed with state and federal agencies
- Compile information in order to prepare concise substantive reports and communications to assist in resolving issues working directly with Human Resources and Finance Departments for both the private and public sector
- Second chaired three-week trial (prepared all exhibits, witness preparation, pre and post trial motions along with appeal.) Second Circuit Appeal (finalization of Brief, Joint Appendix, Special Appendix and arrangements with Record Press for printing and filing) Liaison to clients, opposing counsel, Courts, Federal and State Agencies
- Director of Administration Responsibilities: January, 2011-September, 2015
- Personnel and Human Resources Management: Interviewing, hiring, evaluating and supervising of non-attorney personnel
- Salary adjustments and bonus recommendations to partnership for non-attorney personnel
- Terminations and layoffs of non-attorney personnel
- Approval of time off requests for non-attorney personnel
- Work in conjunction with Managing Partner regarding associate attorney recruiting, hiring, salary and bonus evaluations, partnership track and Director Agreements
- Design and implement personnel policies and procedures
- Administering, evaluating and recommending changes to the benefits offered by the Firm, including health and retirement benefits
- Manage all aspects of operations, including human resource administration
- All aspects of firm merger
- Management of Firm Finances: Conduct monthly Board of Directors meeting; Prepare agenda items, presentation to the Partnership on the overall state of the Firm, discussion of any attorney/ staffing issues; prepare and finalize meeting minutes
- Identify, develop and implement process improvements for the business
- Evaluate, negotiate and secure all client and vendor relations
- Monthly client billing
- Monthly, quarterly, year-end reports which include business analysis and updates to Board of Directors
- Analyze and administer Firm’s budget, accounts receivable, accounts payable and process biweekly payroll
- Cash flow control and management of outside accounting firm
- Manage all aspects of operations, including human resource administration
- Management of outside Vendors and Facility: Evaluating and upgrading computer system in 2011 (desktops and servers.) Securing and managing appropriate maintenance contracts for computer hardware and software systems
- Identify, develop and implement process improvements for the business
- Evaluating and upgrading of phone system in 2010
- Office renovation in 2012
- Lease negotiation
- Office equipment.
Education
Paralegal Studies -
Post University
Waterbury, CT01.2000
Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT01.1998
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY01.1995
Saint Joseph High School
Trumbull, CT01.1994
Skills
- Labor Relations
- Negotiation
- Contract Management
- Policy Interpretation
- Grievance Resolution
- Arbitration
- Legal Research
- Employee Relations
- Personnel Management
- Human Resources
- Budgeting
- Financial Management
- Vendor Management
- Facility Management
- Microsoft Office (Excel & Word)
- Quickbooks
- Westlaw
- Court E-filing
Timeline
Labor Relations Specialist
State of Connecticut, Office of Policy & Management
04.2017 - Current
Executive Assistant 1
State of Connecticut, Office of Policy & Management
11.2015 - 04.2017
Durational Project Manager
State of Connecticut, Office of Policy & Management
10.2015 - 11.2015
Contract Specialist & Senior Labor and Employment Specialist & Director of Administration
Durant, Nichols & Houston, PC
08.2001 - 09.2015
Paralegal Studies -
Post University
Southern Connecticut State University
Marist College
Saint Joseph High School
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