Employee Relations & Labor Relations

Employee Relations Manager

Susan Foster is the Laboratory’s Employee Relations Manager. Her primary role is to provide guidance to employees and managers to resolve work-related issues in a fair and equitable fashion. The Manager is familiar with Laboratory policies and procedures and their implementation, and, in addition, has access to various management resources that may be useful in obtaining answers to questions and complaints.

Some of the issues that come across her desk are related to performance appraisal conflicts, hostile work environments, sexual harassment, promotional/pay equity issues, and Family Medical Leave Act concerns. Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements do not have access to the Employee Relations Manager. Adjustment of their concerns must be in accordance with the pertinent collective bargaining agreements.

Ernest Tucker assists Susan Foster with Employee Relations issues and can be reached at 344-5735, or e-mail at tucker@bnl.gov.

Susan also coordinates the Employee Concerns Program. This formal program addresses unresolved issues related to mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority and environment, safety and health.

Susan is also the Laboratory’s liaison to Brookhaven’s Child Development Center (CDC). The CDC is available to Employees and Guests to provide care for Children from six weeks to five years of age. The facility is typically open during the Laboratory’s normal working hours.

Susan also chairs the Laboratory’s annual blood drives enabling Laboratory employees, guests and families the opportunity to provide this precious resource to our Long Island Community.

To meet with Susan, please call 344-2888, or email her at foster@bnl.gov. A suitable meeting place, outside of the Human Resources and Occupational Medicine Division, Bldg. 400B, may be arranged at your request.

Labor Relations Manager

Donna Dowling is the Laboratory’s Labor Relations Manager. Her primary role is to administer the Laboratory's Collective Bargaining Agreements and to provide direction to Management with respect to them.  There are three unions at Brookhaven.  They are:

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 2230 number approximately 400 members.  The IBEW includes the Laboratory's skilled crafts as well as site maintenance and the custodial support.  The current contract period extends from August 1, 2006 through July 31, 2009.

The Suffolk County Security Police Association represents our police force.  There are currently 30 members of the SCSPA and their contract period runs from March 1, 2006 to Marsh 31, 2010.

The Laboratory also has a small representation by the United Steel Workers, AFL-CIO and Local No. 1-431.  At present there are five members to USW at the Laboratory.  They are our Hazardous Waste Technicians.

Donna also manages the Laboratory's Progressive Discipline Program.  In doing so she sees that each situation is considered on its own merits.  She takes a number of factors into consideration in determining the appropriate level of discipline including the employee's previous records and the seriousness of the infraction.  All written warning, suspensions, and discharges must have prior concurrence of the Labor Relations Manager or the Human Resources Director.

The Laboratory's Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program also fall under the responsibilities of the Labor Relations Manager.  Donna works closely with the Employee Assistance Program and the Occupational Medicine Clinic in this role.  She is also responsible for the Testing Designated Program in compliance with DOE 10 CRF 707.

Donna co-conducts the Laboratory's Intervention Program with our EAP Manager and Legal Issues in Supervision with Laboratory Counsel.  She is available to present ad hoc training as needed.

You may reach Donna at extension 2754 or email dowling@bnl.gov.

Ernest Tucker assists Donna Dowling with all of the above issues and can be reached at 344-5735, or e-mail at tucker@bnl.gov.

Last Modified: March 26, 2008
Please forward all questions about this site to: Elizabeth Gilbert

One of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab also builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE’s Office of Science by Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by Stony Brook University, the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle, a nonprofit, applied science and technology organization.

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