Assignment:
In this discussion, we will examine processes for resolving impasses in bargaining. As part of our discussion, we will consider the efficacy of the strike and lockout as economic weapons to help force parties into reaching an agreement.
To help resolve impasse, parties have turned toward mediation and fact-finding as techniques to help find common ground for agreements.
Both mediation and fact-finding involve the use of a neutral third party to help the union and management reach an agreement. Neither process, however, can force a party into accepting specified terms within the agreement. Interest arbitration, however, can resolve the impasse by permitting the neutral party to make the decision on the terms of the agreement. [The use of arbitration to resolve grievances that arise as a result of alleged violations of the agreement or disagreement regarding the interpretation of the language in the agreement is well accepted in the U.S. system of labor relations. This type of arbitration is referred to as grievance arbitration.] However, in the private sector, we do not see the parties frequently using interest arbitration as a means to resolve an impasse.
In your initial post please address the following:
Why is interest arbitration used so infrequently in the private sector?