Laura Schaffran

About Laura Schaffran

I support the achievement of strategic goals of global companies with the development of comprehensive HR strategies that span talent management, organizational design, performance management, employee relations, and compliance. Additionally, I have deep expertise within labor relations where I have avoided crippling strikes and consistently negotiated favorable business terms and mitigated costly concessions. s••••••••@gmail.com HIGHLIGHTS Developed a business continuity strategy during a nationwide strike that enabled the company to maintain tens of millions in sales per day. Led multiple restructuring efforts for a global company that reduced costs by multiple millions. Created talent development and recruiting programs that increased the number of women in higher level roles by 85%, expanded the number of MBA candidates, and increased both female and minority new hires by 50% each.Designed and implemented a rotational program that fortified the leadership talent pipeline and was implemented across the global organization.STRATEGIC PARTNERI am a well-versed HR executive and trusted advisor to the C-suite in the advancement of the company’s larger goals. My priority when taking on a new role is to become the “go-to” expert. As a result, I’ve set myself apart for my grasp of the issues facing the organization. Focusing on understanding the risk prior to delivering a solution has enabled me to help leaders strategically execute across multi-million-dollar business units as well as plants. EXPERT NEGOTIATORDrawing upon my graduate degree in counseling and time spent working with clients, I anticipate the needs and actions of the people I negotiate with. When negotiating and hammering out labor strategies, I consider how the individuals I’m working with will process the information I’m giving them and what their desired outcome is. This multi-step thinking has enabled me to be prepared for many different scenarios and deliver impressive results that aligned with the company’s larger goals while avoiding significant concessions.I am proud of being an HR leader who has achieved milestones in employee relations and labor relations playing a critical role in national bargaining as well as designing and leading several restructuring initiatives that have improved the position of the company. My mission is to lead teams that work to protect the company.Reach out to talk about leading global restructuring initiatives, negotiating win-win collective bargaining agreements, and improving talent management and talent pipelines.

Experience

1. Labor Relations Director, Customer Care and Aftersales, Sourcing, Placement and Wage Administration

   General Motors

   Jan 2020 — Present · Warren, MI, US

   I chose to take this labor role over another HR position because of my interest in labor relations and it was a way to build on earlier career experience with labor relations. Relationships with union leadership were strained and the looming threat of strikes presented significant challenges.KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Served on UAW-GM National Bargaining Committee, leading contract negotiations for UAW salaried represented and Customer Care and Aftersales employees, impacting thousands of employees and millions of salaries. Repaired relationships with union leaders improving both trust and communication. Spearheaded business continuity strategy that enabled the company to maintain tens of millions in sales during the UAW strike in 2023 re-routing operations and using alternative staffing methods.RESPONSIBILITIES: Employee & Labor Relations | Risk Mitigation | Negotiation Strategies | Employee Retention | Cross-functional Collaboration | Master Labor Agreements | Grievances and Arbitrations | Policies and Procedures | Investigations | Vendor Management | Relationship Management | Union Management | Collective Bargaining

Education

• Detroit College of Business

  Bachelor of Arts - BA

• Wayne State University

  Master of Arts (M.A.)