City of Rochester’s HR Director wins statewide award

(ABC 6 News) – The City of Rochester’s Human Resources Director has won a statewide award.

Linda Hillenbrand was awarded the Excellence in Labor Relations Award at a statewide conference. This award was given by the Minnesota Public Employer Labor Relations Association (MPELRA), which is comprised of public sector labor relations professionals statewide.

The award is given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the management role in public sector labor relations during their career. The award represents the association’s highest acknowledgment of the recipient’s dedication, and achievement in the development of positive labor-management relations.

“I am so pleased to receive this award as a negotiator for the City and on behalf of the Human Resources team who continually supports the efforts involved with managing 19 bargaining groups. I am equally honored to work with many union representatives and teammates who think progressively and understand the importance of collaboration and compromise. It takes all of us working together to move forward as a successful organization that strives daily to meet the service expectations of our community,” said Linda Hillenbrand, Director of Human Resources.

Hillenbrand has served in her role since 2007 and was nominated for the award by her peers.