Arbitration Explained

Arbitration

Arbitration involves an independent and impartial person called an arbitrator (acting alone or chairing a panel) being appointed by the Labour Relations Agency to make a decision on a dispute. This decision is based on the evidence presented by the parties to that dispute.

Arbitration is entirely voluntary. All parties to the dispute must agree to go to arbitration. The parties should also agree in advance that they will abide by the arbitrator’s decision.

The booklet ‘Arbitration explained’ (see above) explains the range of arbitration services available from the Agency.

Independent Appeals

The Agency provides a service to facilitate a range of independent appeals (mainly grievance, bullying / harassment and discipline). The appeal service includes education, libraries, local government, voluntary organisations, and other public services and bodies in accordance with procedures agreed between employers and trade unions.

In education appeals include teaching and non teaching staff in schools, education and library board staff, lecturers, and non teaching staff in further education.

For further information please contact the Arbitration Secretary at the Agency.