Originally from Dispute Resolution Journal

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Introduction

The Massachusetts Municipal Law (Chapter 763 of the Acts of 1965) was approved in November of that year. Thus, the law has been in effect for four years. We know that the number of labor contracts executed under this statute is steadily increasing. Estimates from available sources make it reasonable to think that there may be now between 400 and 500 contracts covering municipal employees in this State. Most of these include some grievance and arbitration provisions. It is evident from these figures that some time is required for collective bargaining in this new area to take effect, after passage of a new law, and for the parties to get experience in contract administration. Only two municipal cases were decided under AAA auspices in 1967. In 1968 the number actually decided was 19; although a larger number were filed with the Agency. In the year 1969 there were almost as many cases filed in the first six months as for the entire year of 1968.

For the present study we have a total of 29 issues in grievance arbitration represented mostly by AAA awards. This number is not impressive for statistical purposes, but the cases have considerable value, nonetheless, for those who wish to understand what is going on in this new and untried field.