Melanie Schwartz

• Oversaw policy development ensuring alignment with federal regulations, law and treasury goals.
• Mentored junior staff on best practices in Bargaining agreement, promoting professionalism and handling meeting to negotiate the best outcome for employees and management.
• Facilitated training sessions on contract changes, enhancing team knowledge and responsiveness to new negotiated policy's.
• Oversaw the representation of employee and management conferences and events.

Professional Summary
Experienced labor advocate and organizational leader with a proven track record of representing employees, negotiating collective bargaining agreements, resolving grievances, and oral reply's for disciplinary cases, guiding organizational strategy. Adept at conflict resolution, policy development, and fostering productive relationships between employees and management. Demonstrated ability to lead at both the union and board levels with a focus on transparency, equity, and long-term organization.

Core Competencies
Labor Relations & Contract Negotiation
Conflict Resolution & Mediation
Organizational Governance
Policy Development

Grievance and oral reply representation and presentation
Member Advocacy & Support
Board & Committee Leadership
Strategic Planning
Communication & Public Speaking
DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Initiatives
Union Organizing & Campaign Strategy

Professional Experience
Steward/ Day-shift Chief Steward – National Treasury Employee Union, Philadelphia Pa. Chapter 71
2011 – 2018 Chief Steward 2018 - Current

Represent union members in disciplinary meetings and grievance procedures, securing fair and consistent outcomes.
Lead negotiations with management as part of collective bargaining teams; helped secure contracts with improved wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Serve as a liaison between members and management leadership, providing updates and addressing workplace concerns.
Conduct outreach and training to educate members about their rights and obligations under the collective bargaining processes.

prepare and conduct local training for new Stewards.
Organize campaigns and mobilize membership around workplace issues and policy advocacy.

Maintain a case log of all grievance and oral reply's, over see that all timeframes are met and all cases are filed and presented within the contractual timeframes.

1st Vice President, & Day-Shift Chief Steward

10/2020 – Present- Elected to the 1st Vice President

Support board president in leading strategic planning, governance, and policy oversight for case load management
Collaborate with executive leadership to ensure alignment of operations with mission and values and the negotiated contract.
Facilitate board meetings, resolve conflicts, and help maintain effective communication across the service.
Spearhead initiatives to improve organizational transparency and employee engagement.

Certifications or Training:

Data Processing Trainers -Business and accounting Degree
Labor Leadership Training
Conflict Mediation or Negotiation Certificate
Board Governance & Leadership Workshop

National NTEU yearly training

References: Available upon request.

• Provided accurate information on tax regulations and procedures, and law to assist taxpayers with compliance.
• Resolved taxpayer issues by effectively communicating policies and services in a clear manner.
• Resolved customer complaints with empathy, resulting in increased trust in the service.
• Handled escalated calls efficiently, finding satisfactory resolutions for both taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service alike.
• Assisted taxpayers in navigating the IRS website and electronically filing tax returns, getting account balances, paying balance due accounts and setting up installment agreements, improving overall user experience.
• Exceeded performance standards consistently, earning recognition as a top performer within the department.
• Guided taxpayers through complex forms and processes, ensuring compliance with federal guidelines.
• Trained new representatives on systems, procedures, and customer service best practices to enhance team performance.
• Implemented process improvements that streamlined operations and increased efficiency in handling inquiries.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop resources that improved taxpayer education and support materials.
• Led initiatives aimed at enhancing customer satisfaction through feedback analysis and targeted service.
• Managed high-stress situations effectively, maintaining professionalism under pressure while resolving disputes or conflicts.
• Resolved customer complaints with empathy, resulting in increased trust.
• Handled escalated calls efficiently, finding satisfactory resolutions for both taxpayer and the Internal Revenue service alike.
• Maintained detailed records of customer interactions, ensuring proper follow-up and resolution of issues.
• Assisted customers in navigating IRS website and filing tax returns online, requesting balance due information and setting up installment agreements, improving overall taxpayer's experience.