After a full year at the bargaining table without reaching a settlement on our successor contract, A&R has officially declared impasse and filed with the SBMA for interest arbitration. This was not the outcome we had hoped for as arbitration carries risks when the goal is to establish a fair and collaborative labor agreement.
With the next legislative session set to begin and end within the next six months—and the Governor’s Office continuing to propose inadequate wage packages—our Negotiation Committee and Executive Board have both voted to move forward with interest arbitration. This step is intended to help secure a contract resolution before the legislative session concludes.
However, if the Governor’s Office meaningfully increases its monetary offers for years two and three of the contract, A&R would be open to withdrawing from arbitration and presenting a tentative agreement to our membership for approval.
More details to come as we move through this process.