EXPERIENCE
Labor arbitrator and mediator with over 16 years of collective bargaining and grievance experience in the private/public sectors in the healthcare, public safety and transportation industries.
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: AAA Labor Panel; FMCS; 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); D.C. Public Employee Relations Board
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Permanent Grievance Arbitration Panels: State of CT & Connecticut Employees Union Independent, Affiliated Local 511; CT Judicial Branch & AFSCME, Local 749; Nuvance Health/Danbury & New Milford Hospitals & Western Connecticut United Professionals, Local 5152; State of CT & AFSCME Council 4 (Corrections); USPS & American Postal Workers Union, MOD 15 Panel, Springfield, MA
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Interest Arbitration Panels: State of CT & Municipal Employees
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Non-Union Personnel Appeals Panels: CT Employees’ Review Board
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​Mediation Panels: EEOC RESOLVE Panel; D.C. Public Employee Relations Board
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 & Training
Participant in the 2025 Mid-Atlantic/D.C. Region Salon led by NAA Members
Participant in the 2025 New England Region Salon led by NAA Members
Labor Arbitrator Development Program Certificate, Scheinman Institute, Cornell ILR School
Becoming a Labor Arbitrator, Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service
Professional Affiliations
ABA, Labor & Employment Law and Dispute Resolution Sections
LERA, 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.
Women in Transportation, Governor’s Council on Women & Girls Leadership Subcommittee Panel Discussion, moderated by CT Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Panelist, June 25, 2025.
Thinking Like an Arbitrator, 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).