About the Office of Labor Relations

Key Functions

In our daily work as human resources professionals, we strive to embody our REACH values:

  • FORMULATE and implement the County’s labor and employee relations policies.
  • ADVISE employees, managers, and supervisors on labor and employee relations matters.
  • ADMINSTER grievances that arise under the County’s collective bargaining agreements and/or the personnel regulations.
  • SERVE as the employer's representative in collective bargaining, impasse and interest arbitration.
  • LEAD and negotiate the County’s collective bargaining agreement.

See Section 2-25D. Office of Labor Relations

Purpose, Vision, and Values

The Office of Labor Relations is committed to fostering integrity in the bargaining process to improve relationships and outcomes for the County and its Union partners. OLR guides the County through complex labor and employment matters in accordance with our core values; be credible, put people first/forward, take ownership, and earn trust.

Building Stronger Labor Relations

OLR uses several labor relations tools to improve the County’s relationships with its union partners as well as strengthening internal relationships between departments and employees.

  • Labor Management Relations Committees: A committee comprised of union and management members that meets periodically to surface and resolve issues in a collaborative and transparent way. These committees are established at the County, Department and Office levels, and all members have received training in decorum and best practices. Topics for discussion may include health, safety, training opportunities, facilities, County processes and procedures, etc.
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation: Forums for resolving grievances, disputes and conflicts at the lowest level possible with assistance from a neutral third party.
  • Conflict Facilitation Program: A voluntary program that allows for the resolution of internal conflict in a neutral, peer-lead environment.

Organization Chart

Office of Labor Relations Organization Chart - See the Staff section below the chart for a hierarchical list of staff presented in the organization chart.

Staff

  • Chief Labor Relations Officer - Jennifer Harling
    • Deputy Chief Labor Relations Officer - Vacant
    • Assistant - Kristy Tsai
    • Labor Manager - George Lacy
      • Labor Relations Specialist III - Melissa Boone-Miller
      • Labor Relations Specialist III - Dan DiJames
      • Labor Relations Specialist III - Jacqueline LaRocca
      • Labor Relations Specialist III - Ryan Mariategue
      • Labor Relations Specialist III - Joslyn Sanders
Jennifer Harling, Chief Labor Relations Officer, Office of Labor Relations Jennifer Harling, Esq
Chief Labor Relations Officer
Office of Labor Relations