Arbitration

Grievances which are not satisfactorily settled under negotiated grievance procedures are subject to arbitration. Arbitration is a process in which an impartial third party, the arbitrator, is chosen by the union and management to render a final and binding award after hearing and reviewing the evidence. Arbitration can be costly, time-consuming, and have unpredictable results. Consequently, as in all dispute resolution processes, the parties to the dispute should take all necessary steps to attempt to resolve the dispute between them-selves.

The union or management may file an exception to an arbitrator's award with the Federal Labor Relations Authority. The Authority reviews the award to determine whether it is improper because it violates law, rule or regulation, or on other grounds similar to those applied by Federal courts in private sector labor-management relations (e.g., the arbitrator exceeded his or her authority).

The union or management has 30 days beginning on the date of an award to file exceptions with the Authority. If no exceptions are filed within that time frame, then the award becomes final and binding. The refusal of either party to adhere to the award is an unfair labor practice.

RELATED TOPIC: Grievance Procedures