Synopsis By: Golick - Proceeding Author: Thomas W. Jennings, James H. Jordan, George Nicolau

Arb. Nicolau contends that the arbitration process can be simplified to achieve cost-savings, time-savings and dispute resolution. The best way to simplify arbitration is to avoid it. Arb. Nicolau suggests ways to settle disputes at an early level through streamlined procedures, mediation, joint fact-finding and arbitral inquiry. Responses point out 1) that the ideal of simplifying the arbitration process may be hampered by duty of fair representation threats and by increasing judicial overview of the arbitration process and 2) arbitration is just one event in the much larger industrial relations system which has many demands seeking accommodation, and that grievance and arbitration procedures will continue to reflect the industrial relations system of which they are only a small, but significant part.