Originally from Dispute Resolution Journal

This article discusses the growth of interest arbitration in the United States, beginning with its early history and focusing on expansion through government programs and legislative activity. The application of interest arbitration in both the public and private sectors is examined, including the types of coverage of various agreements and statutes. In addition, some of the standards are explored that guide interest arbitrators in making decisions and lend predictability and consistency to the process.

Most people in the field of labor relations are much more familiar and comfortable with rights or grievance arbitration than with interest arbitration, even though the latter is the older of the two forms of dispute resolution . Controversies over what goes into an agreement must predate disputes arising under that agreement.