COMPULSORY ARBITRATION VERSUS NEGOTIATIONS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES: THE MICHINGAN EXPERIENCE

ROGERT H. BEZDEK AND DAVID W. RIPLEY

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DOI: 10.2190/2C2T-E8DP-J79E-A078

Abstract

This paper investigates the issue of whether the settlements awarded public safety employees under compulsory arbitration are higher than those resulting from other forms of dispute resolution. Data from cases involving compulsory arbitration for Michigan police and firefighters between 1969 and 1972 are analyzed statistically to determine if the compulsory arbitration awards were significantly higher than those arrived at through negotiations. The findings reported here indicate that, contrary to widespread belief, there may be no difference in the size of the salary increases resulting from compulsory arbitration and those resulting form other forms of dispute settlement.

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