Synopsis By: Marx - Proceeding Author: David E. Feller, Theodore Sachs, Lee C. Shaw

The “Golden Age” of labor arbitration – “the era of industrial self-governance” – commenced during or soon after WWII, and started to decline in the 1960’s, with an increase in the federal regulations overlaying the terms and conditions of employment. The author reviews external law and collective bargaining agreements, and concludes that there are probably advantages to both unions and employers in resolving their problems “at home,” even though they may be subject to final adjudication elsewhere. The author does not see a decline in the fortunes of arbitrators, but forecasts a decline in their status caused by factors over which they have little control.