"Los Angeles County leaders are pushing forward a measure for the November ballot that would remove their ability to have final say on one of the costliest decisions they make: How much to pay firefighters and sheriff's deputies. The supervisors voted 4 to 0 on Tuesday to have their lawyers draft a ballot measure that would give final decision-making power in contract disputes regarding pay and working conditions for public safety workers to a three-person panel, a practice known as binding arbitration."
"Currently, if contract talks hit an impasse, the five county supervisors can, after a complex mediation process, impose a final offer. Public safety workers, who are not allowed to strike, say they have no leverage with which to fight back, giving the county final word. Under the new proposal, the power dynamics would shift. An arbitration panel would instead make the final decision on some contract disputes for public safety employees, including firefighters, sheriff's deputies and county lifeguards."
Los Angeles County supervisors voted 4 to 0 to have lawyers draft a November ballot measure that would give a three-person arbitration panel final decision-making power over some contract disputes for public safety workers. The change would shift final authority from the five supervisors, who can currently impose a final offer after mediation, to binding arbitration for disputes involving pay and working conditions for firefighters, sheriff's deputies and county lifeguards. Supporters say arbitration would incentivize fair agreements and provide a reset after turbulent negotiations. Opponents warn it could increase labor costs and cede too much control over the county budget. Supervisors plan another vote before placing the measure on the ballot.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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