NCJ Number
103091
Journal
Labor Law Journal Volume: 37 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1986) Pages: 703-711
Date Published
1986
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study investigates the impact of age, education, experience, and occupation on the selection of arbitrators by management and union representatives.
Abstract
A sample of 74 arbitrators used by the American Arbitration Association's Cleveland Regional Office was asked to decide a case using an abridged transcript of an actual hearing. Decisions were compared to their ages, education, experience, and occupations. A sample of 125 union and management representatives who attended a seminar on grievance arbitration read the same transcript and then selected arbitrators for the case based on arbitrator information on age, education, experience, and occupation. The case used in the study involved the discharge of an employee for conduct away from the work place related to chronic alcoholism. Thirty-three of the arbitrators reinstated the grievant, and 41 upheld the discharge. In selecting arbitrators, union and management representatives regarded experience and occupation to be key factors in selecting arbitrators, with age and education having some importance. The arbitrators' decisions were significantly related to age and experience but were independent of education and occupation. Overall, the parties did not select arbitrators that were most likely to rule in their favor. The study did not determine the motives of the parties in selecting arbitrators. Study limitations are noted. 3 tables.