State Office of Labor Relations
The State Office of Labor Relations, part of the Department of Administration, provides labor relations services for all executive branch agencies except the Montana University System and the Montana State Fund. Acting as the Governor’s designated representatives, the office negotiates the biennial pay plan for state employees and collective bargaining agreements for Montana’s various bargaining units. It also assists agencies in interpreting and administering those agreements and represents the state in administrative hearings and labor arbitrations. Through these efforts, the Office works to align labor relations with the administration’s goals while encouraging constructive, cooperative relationships between management and employees throughout Montana state government.
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EXECUTIVE ORDER DESIGNATING THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR HUMAN RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AS THE AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ON COLLECTIVE BARGAINING MATTERS
WHEREAS, Section 39-31-301, MCA, authorizes the Governor, as Chief Executive Officer of the State of Montana, to designate an authorized representative to represent the State in collective bargaining with an exclusive representative; and
WHEREAS, through Executive Order 14-2014, Governor Steve Bullock rescinded Executive Order 40-2008 and designated the Deputy Director, Director's Office, Department of Administration, as the Governor's designated authorized representative under Section 39-31-301, MCA; and
WHEREAS, effective October 18, 2021, the Deputy Director, Director's Office, Department of Administration is retiring.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GREG GIANFORTE, Governor of the State of Montana, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the law and Constitution of the State of Montana, do hereby:
1) Rescind Executive Order No. 14-2014; and
2) Designate, pursuant to Section 39-31-301, MCA, the Administrator State Human Resources, Department of Administration, as the Governor's designated authorized representative to represent the State of Montana, excluding the university system under the Board of Regents, in collective bargaining with an exclusive representative.
This Order is effective immediately.
GIVEN under my hand and the GREAT SEAL of the State of Montana, this 29th day of September, 2021.
/s/ GREG GIANFORTE, Governor
ATTEST:
/s/ Christi Jacobsen, Secretary of State
Labor Relations Staff
- Karol Anne Davis: Chief Labor Negotiator
- Matt Mitchell: Attorney
- Caitlin Buzzas: Attorney
- Christian Mackay: Labor Relations Specialist
- Stephanie Schell: Office Coordinator
Christian Mackay
Labor Relations Specialist
Departments
Administration
- Capitol Complex Craft Council
- Montana Lottery
- Montana Public Employees Retirement System
- Capitol Complex Plumbers & Pipefitters
Agriculture
- All Eligible Employees
Corrections
- Montana State Prison
- Montana State Prison Craft Council
- Montana Women's Prison
- Pine Hills Teachers
- Pine Hills Correctional Staff, Support Staff, Nurses Probation and Parole
Environmental Quality
- All Eligible Employees
Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
- Game Wardens and Investigators
- Biologists
- Wildlife Specialists
Justice
- Criminal Investigators
- Highway Patrol
- Highway Patrol Communications Center
- Vehicle Services Bureau
- Drivers Services Bureau
- Law Enforcement
Livestock
- Meat Inspectors
Military Affairs
- Montana Youth Challenge
- Great Falls Airport Firefighters
- Facility Maintenance Unit
Natural Resources and Conservation
- Technicians
Office of Public Instruction
- All Eligible Employees
Public Health & Human Services
- Montana State Hospital Craft Council
- Montana State Hospital Food Service
- Intensive Behavior Center Craft Council
School for the Deaf & Blind
- Teachers
- Student Services
Transportation
- Maintenance
- Craft Council Maintenance
- Motor Carrier Services - Patrol
- Non-Maintenance Employees
Caitlin Buzzas
Attorney
Departments
Labor and Industry
- All Eligible Employees
- Hearings Officers and Mediators
Revenue
- All Eligible Employees
- Liquor Warehouse
Montana Historical Society
- All Eligible Employees
Office of the State Public Defender
- Public Defenders
- Investigators and Support Staff
Public Health and Human Services
- Montana State Hospital RNs
- Lewistown Nursing Care Center
- Lewistown Nursing Care Center RNs
- Montana State Hospital Care and Service Unit
- Montana State Hospital Professional and LPNs
- Human Service Employees
- Social Workers
- Public Health RNs
- Intensive Behavior Center Professional Employees
- Central Office Employees
- Montana Veterans Home
- Montana Veterans Home RNs
- Child & Family Service Division
- Montana Chemical Dependency Center RNs
Montana State Library
- All Eligible Employees
To view the bargaining agreements for each agency, visit the Collective Bargaining Agreements page.
To view frequently asked labor relations questions, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.