Connecticut House Bill HB05771

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/11
• Refer: 1/21/11

Caption

An Act Concerning Municipal Legislative Bodies And Arbitration Awards.

Impact

The implications of HB 05771 on state laws could be significant, particularly for municipalities that engage in collective bargaining with labor unions. By shifting the process from binding arbitration back to negotiations, the bill offers legislative bodies more control over decisions that directly affect contracts with labor groups. This could potentially lead to more tailored contracts that better reflect the needs of both the municipality and the workforce, but it also means that unions might face challenges in securing arbitration outcomes that they find favorable.

Summary

House Bill 05771 proposes a modification to the process concerning how arbitration awards are handled when rejected by local legislative bodies. The bill states that if a local legislative body votes by a two-thirds majority to reject an arbitration award, the matter will not proceed to a binding arbitration panel as is customary. Instead, it will return to the negotiating table for further discussion and refinement. This change aims to provide local governments with greater autonomy over contract negotiations, especially in the context of labor relations.

Contention

Concerns surrounding the bill include the possibility that allowing local legislative bodies to reject arbitration awards may lead to prolonged negotiations and uncertainty for labor contracts. Critics argue that this could undermine workers' rights and protections by allowing local governments to avoid binding arbitration, which is often seen as a fair mechanism for resolving disputes. Supporters, however, believe that it empowers local bodies and enhances their decision-making independence, fostering a more collaborative environment for labor negotiations. The balance between upholding fair labor practices and maintaining local control is likely to be a pivotal point of contention during discussions about this bill.