A mediation session was held to discuss implementing the telecommuting provision of the 2017 SEBAC agreement. A&R along with representatives of several other SEBAC unions presented arguments before a mediator of how to best implement a telecommuting framework. The state has been slow in offering any telecommuting programs, which is why mediation was sought.
As you may recall, the SEBAC 2017 agreement specified that bargaining units would be offered "options for telecommuting consistent with job duties where such is operationally feasible". Not surprisingly, the state and the unions have not reached agreement regarding how to implement a telecommuting framework. Today's mediation session was the first attempt to involve an independent third party to help move along the process. While mediation is non-binding on either party, it is hoped that through mediation the state and the unions can come to agreement on a basic telecommuting framework. The next mediation session is scheduled for mid December. Union leadership remains hopeful that the state will work constructively towards implementing a telecommuting framework. However, given the extremely slow rate of progress thus far on the part of the state in the mediation process, the unions are securing dates for arbitration. If the state continues to drag its feet at the next session, the unions have plans to move the issue out of the mediation forum and into formal arbitration procedures. The key difference between mediation and arbitration is that mediation proceedings are not binding on either party, whereas the decision of an arbitrator is binding.