Office of Labor Relations 

In May 2020, the County Council established Montgomery County's Office of Labor Relations  (OLR, Bill Number 19-20E).  OLR’s role as set forth in Bill 19-20 is to foster a productive labor-management partnership through the use of collaborative and interest-based methods.

Brief summary of OLR

Chief Labor Relations Officer

Jennofer Jarling Jennifer Harling, OLR’s Chief Labor Relations Officer, has more than ten years of labor relations experience.  Jennifer leads OLR's work with county labor partners to both improve labor relations and build a model program that incorporates interest-based bargaining principles. As CLRO, Jennifer provides guidance to County leadership with respect to the administration of the County’s collective bargaining agreements and serves as the County's Chief Negotiator in collective bargaining.

Organization Chart

Org Vhart  

Key Functions

  • ​FORMULATE and implement the County’s labor and employee relations policies.​
  • ADVISE employees, managers, and supervisors on labor and employee relations matters.
  • ADMINSTER grievances that arise under the County’s collective bargaining agreements and/or the personnel regulations.​
  • SERVE as the employer's representative in collective bargaining, impasse and interest arbitration. ​
  • LEAD and negotiate the County’s collective bargaining agreement.​

Purpose, Vision and Values

The Office of Labor Relations is committed to fostering integrity in the bargaining process to improve relationships and outcomes for the County and its Union partners. OLR guides the County through complex labor and employment matters in accordance with our core values; be credible, put people first/forward, take ownership, and earn trust.