Time is right for binding arbitration for corrections workers

The Federation strongly endorsed legislation granting binding interest arbitration rights to Department of Corrections workers.

In a hearing Wednesday (Feb. 9) before the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee, Community Corrections Local 443 member Dave Thompson said granting binding arbitration brings parity to state Corrections employees. Other law enforcement professionals have those rights, he said.

“When the existing processes fail us, our issues fall on deaf ears,” Thompson said. “We must have the ability to seek resolution.”

“Binding interest arbitration is a method that is traditionally used to negotiate working conditions with law enforcement and the firefighting communities,” said Federation Lobbyist Matt Zuvich.

“Arbitration takes the politics out of labor disputes.”