Originally from Dispute Resolution Journal

There is certainly a cognizable trend toward "expedited arbitration" in recent years as industrial disputes become more numerous and costly and the case load of the competent arbitrator becomes too heavy for expeditious disposition of cases in accordance with normal procedures.

Expedited arbitration, that is a completely informal but objective method of resolution of unresolved grievances, has been utilized occasionally in the past on an ad hoc basis as the only means to resolve a dispute which might otherwise result in a strike or other concerted activity. A specific contractual commitment to use such procedure occurred for the first time in 1971 with the adoption by the Basic Steel Industry and the United Steelworkers of America of Appendix L to the nationwide agreement. The Appendix provides that upon the mutual agreement of the parties in a specific case,