EXPERIENCE
I am a labor arbitrator and mediator with 16 years of collective bargaining and grievance experience in the healthcare, public safety and transportation industries. During my time as a management advocate, I worked on over 1,000 grievances, prepared for and participated in over 100 grievance arbitrations and actively participated in hundreds of bargaining sessions with 27 different bargaining units, including mediation, fact-finding and interest arbitration.
Education
Master of Public Administration, Cornell University
Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University
Arbitration & Mediation Experience
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Grievance Arbitration Rosters: American Arbitration Association, Labor Panel; The Labor Relations Connection; American Dispute Resolution Center, Inc.; New Jersey State Board of Mediation; New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission; New York State 3020-a (Tenured Teachers)
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Permanent Grievance Arbitration Panels: State of Connecticut & Connecticut Employees Union Independent, Affiliated Local 511; Connecticut Judicial Branch & AFSCME, Local 749; Nuvance Health/Danbury & New Milford Hospitals & Western Connecticut United Professionals, Local 5152; State of Connecticut & AFSCME Council 4 (Corrections)
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Interest Arbitration Panels: State of Connecticut & Municipal Employees
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Non-Union Personnel Appeals Panels: Connecticut Employees’ Review Board
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​Mediation Panels: EEOC RESOLVE Panel
Labor Management Experience
2023-Present
Arbitrate and mediate labor cases.
2020-2023
Assistant Vice President of Labor Relations, Nuvance Health. Responsible for strategic labor relations for 15 bargaining units covering 40% of all employees (~5,400); led negotiations and reached successor agreements for nearly all bargaining units over a two-year period; conducted extensive training for HR and management staff on the basic tenets of contract interpretation, grievances and discipline; before reaching arbitration, acted as the final step hearing officer in the grievance procedure in 60+ cases; negotiated with all unions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and related policies.
2018-2020
General Manager, The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. While reporting to the department director, led a department of over 70 employees in the administrative and analytical support of the Port Authority Police Department; ensured the department optimized efficiency and cost-savings while maximizing positive employee relations; mediated disputes among employees.
2009-2018
Labor Relations Executive, The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. As second chair in negotiations, prepared and strategized for every aspect of collective bargaining with 12 bargaining units; acted as the Agency’s expert on 4 police contracts; acted as a leader in police interest arbitration proceedings (40+ hearing days) and testified for 3 days on Agency proposals; led the police department’s disciplinary/grievance processes, overseeing the processing of 1,000+ grievances, with 100+ cases proceeding to arbitration; worked with counsel to adjudicate dozens of Improper Practice Charges; ensured operations complied with contractual requirements; actively participated in mediation and non-binding fact-finding for new contracts for civilian bargaining units.
Industries & Sectors
Building Trades, Health Care, Office Workers/Clerical, Private & Public Sectors, Public Safety, Transportation
Issues
Absenteeism/Attendance, Bargaining Unit Work, Benefits, Discipline, FLSA, FMLA, Job Classification, Job Performance, Job Posting/Bidding/Transfers, Leaves of Absence, Management Rights, Past Practices, Overtime Pay, Scheduling, Subcontracting, Work Assignments
Professional Certifications, Licenses & Fellowships
Salon Member, Mentorship Program with the New England Region of the National Academy of Arbitrators (ongoing)
Labor Arbitrator Development Certificate, Scheinman Institute, Cornell University, School of Industrial & Labor Relations
Becoming a Labor Arbitrator, Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law and Dispute Resolution Sections
Labor and Employment Relations Association, National, New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut Valley Chapters
Presentations
UPCOMING: Red Light/Green Light Arbitration Panel, University of Rhode Island/NAA Conference, Conference Panelist, October 27, 2025.
UPCOMING: Red Light/Green Light Arbitration Panel, Long Island LERA, Conference Panelist, May 16, 2025.
We Have a First Contract...Now What?, National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and the Professions, Conference Panel Moderator, March 25, 2025.
New Labor Arbitrator Panel Program & Reception sponsored by AAA, NYC LERA & NAA Region 2, Panelist, December 5, 2024.
How Will the Arbitrators Decide?, Virginia LERA, Conference Panelist, September 10, 2024.
Best Practices in Arbitration, National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and the Professions, Conference Panelist, March 18, 2024.
Publications
Herbert, Lefkowitz on Public Sector Labor and Employment Law. Fourth Edition (2019 Rev.) (Contributor).
Are Amendments to New York’s Collective Bargaining Law Necessary for Consolidation of Local Government Services in New York State? The Current. Fall 2009; Vol. 13, No. 1: 21-45.
Lefkowitz, Public Sector Labor and Employment Law. Third Edition (2009) (Contributor).