LD677 - Binding Arbitration

(2021)

An Act To Improve Public Sector Labor Relations by Amending the Laws Governing Arbitration under Certain Public Employees Labor Relations Laws

What is the bill?

Firefighters, dispatchers, bus drivers, teachers and state employees strongly supported LD 677, which would have leveled the playing field for public sector workers in contract negotiations. Currently, in the public sector, if workers and management can’t reach a contract, there is a process of mediation, fact-finding and then arbitration. But arbitration is not binding on wages, insurance and retirement. This tilts the table against working people, undermines bargaining from the outset and makes it harder to improve staffing and services we all rely on. LD 677 would have fixed the power imbalance by making arbitration binding on all economic issues. Governor Janet Mills vetoed this priority bill.

What happened?

Defeated (Passed by the Legislature, Vetoed by the Governor)

Votes