Bill > H1692

This bill proposes to amend Chapter 150E of the General Laws, which deals with public employee collective bargaining proceedings, by changing how impasses in negotiations are handled. Specifically, if negotiations between public employees and their employers reach a deadlock even after a fact-finding report is issued, either side, or both together, can ask the board to start arbitration. Arbitration is a process where a neutral third party or panel makes a decision to resolve the dispute. This bill states that the outcome of this arbitration will be a final and binding decision, meaning both parties must accept it. The board will then appoint a panel of three arbitrators, unless the parties agree on their own arbitrators and inform the board. The arbitration panel must then deliver its findings and final decision to the board and both parties within thirty days of being appointed.