Chapter 560 - Board of Mediation and Arbitration

Sec. 31-92. Alternate members. Whenever conditions warrant, the Labor Commissioner or the chairman of the board shall request the Governor to appoint, and the governor shall have authority to appoint, one or more alternate members to the Board of Mediation and Arbitration in such numbers as may be necessary, in order that said board may render efficient service to employers and their employees whenever grievances or disputes arise. An alternate member may be so appointed for a period of up to one year or until a replacement is appointed. Alternate members so appointed shall have power to complete any matter pending at the expiration of the terms for which they were appointed. Alternate labor members shall be members of a bona fide national or independent labor organization. Alternate members of the Board of Mediation and Arbitration shall serve at any time when so delegated by the board and while so serving shall have all the powers of members of the board. Whenever an alternate member serves in place of a member of the board, he shall represent the same interest as the member in whose place he serves. Said board may, at its option, require alternate members to sit with it in the fulfillment of any function of the board.

(1949, 1951, S. 3023d; 1957, P.A. 427, S. 2; P.A. 77-91, S. 1; P.A. 88-3.)

History: P.A. 77-91 changed period of service of appointed alternates from maximum of six months to maximum of one year; P.A. 88-3 authorized an appointed alternate to serve for up to one year or until a replacement is appointed, where previously one year was the maximum time allowed.

Cited. 163 C. 327; 171 C. 613.

Cited. 9 CA 260.

Sec. 31-92a. Oaths for members. (a) Each public member of the Board of Mediation and Arbitration, including alternates, shall be sworn once at the beginning of such member's term of office (1) to support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the state of Connecticut, as long as such member continues to be a citizen thereof, (2) to faithfully discharge, according to law, the duties of the office of member of the Board of Mediation and Arbitration for the state of Connecticut to the best of such member's abilities, (3) to hear and examine all matters in controversy which come before such member during such member's term faithfully and fairly, and (4) to make a just award according to the best of such member's understanding. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of section 52-414, the taking of this oath shall cover all matters heard during the term and the completion of any matter pending at the expiration of such term.

(b) Each member of the Board of Mediation and Arbitration representing the interests of employees or employers, including alternate members, shall be sworn once at the beginning of such member's term of office (1) to support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the state of Connecticut, as long as such member continues to be a citizen thereof, (2) to faithfully discharge, according to law, the duties of the office of member of the Board of Mediation and Arbitration for the state of Connecticut to the best of such member's abilities, (3) to represent the interests of employees or employers respectively in hearing and examining all matters in controversy, and (4) to make a just award according to the best of such member's understanding. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of section 52-414, the taking of this oath shall cover all matters heard during the term and the completion of any matter pending at the expiration of such term.

(P.A. 85-62, S. 1; P.A. 06-196, S. 263.)

History: P.A. 06-196 made technical changes, effective June 7, 2006.

Sec. 31-93. Panel or single member to arbitrate. Membership of panel. In the performance of the duties of conciliation, mediation or arbitration, the board shall be represented by a panel of three of its members, except that, in arbitration, a single public member of the board may arbitrate instead of a panel by joint agreement of the parties involved, and in such event such member shall have all the powers of a panel. In each case, the employee or his representative appearing before said board shall be permitted to designate the labor member of the Board of Mediation and Arbitration who shall serve and the employer or his representative appearing before said board may designate the employer member of the Board of Mediation and Arbitration who shall serve. The chairman of the Board of Mediation and Arbitration shall serve as the member representing the public; if he is unable to serve, the deputy chairman shall serve in his stead. Whenever members are unable to serve, alternate members may be delegated to serve in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(1949, S. 3024d; 1961, P.A. 141.)

History: 1961 act added exception re arbitration by single board member rather than by panel.

See Sec. 4-9a for definition of “public member”.

Cited. 163 C. 327; 171 C. 613.

Cited. 9 CA 260.

Sec. 31-94. Compensation of members and alternates. Section 31-94 is repealed.

(1949 Rev., S. 7382; 1949, S. 3027d; 1957, P.A. 426, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 870, S. 1; P.A. 79-610, S. 36; P.A. 82-91, S. 37, 38.)

Sec. 31-95. Powers of board. Subpoena. Said board, or any member thereof, may enter any establishment in which a strike or lockout exists in order to examine payrolls and other records and to inspect conditions affecting the relations between employees and employers. Said board, or any member thereof, may summon, by subpoena, employers, employees or any other persons whose testimony may be pertinent to the matters before said board, together with any records or other documents relating to such strike or lockout. In case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to any person, the Superior Court, upon application by the board, shall have jurisdiction to order such person to appear before the board to produce evidence or to give testimony touching the matter under investigation or in question, and any failure to obey such order may be punished by said court as a contempt thereof. No person shall be excused from attending and testifying or from producing books, records, correspondence, documents or other evidence in obedience to the subpoena of the board, on the ground that the testimony or evidence required of him may tend to incriminate him or subject him to a penalty or forfeiture; but no individual shall be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter or thing concerning which he is compelled, after having claimed his privilege against self-incrimination, to testify or produce evidence, except that such individual so testifying shall not be exempt from prosecution and punishment for perjury committed in so testifying. In case of a dispute which has not reached the stage of a strike or lockout, said board, upon the request of either party to the dispute, is authorized to exercise the same powers and perform the same duties as in case of a strike or lockout. Said board, or any member thereof, shall have the power to take testimony under oath and to administer oaths.

(1949 Rev., S. 7381; 1949, S. 3026d.)

Cited. 163 C. 327; 171 C. 613; 200 C. 91.

Sec. 31-96. Appointment and testimonial privilege of mediators. Duties of Labor Commissioner. The Labor Commissioner, with the advice and approval of said board, shall appoint at least five mediators to act for it in making investigations and adjusting labor disputes. Each such mediator shall, with the approval of said board, expressly granted in each case in which he is required to function, have all the powers of a member of said board to enter establishments, to examine payrolls or other records, to issue subpoenas and to administer oaths. In any civil or criminal case, any preliminary proceeding to such case, or any legislative or administrative proceeding, any person acting as a mediator under this chapter shall not disclose any confidential communication made to him in the course of his mediation duties unless the party making such communication waives such privilege. Said commissioner shall assign such stenographic and other clerical assistants to said board as may be necessary in the performance of its duties. All records of hearings and other proceedings of said board shall be kept on file in the Labor Department.

(1949 Rev., S. 7383; 1959, P.A. 149; 1969, P.A. 610; P.A. 81-15.)

History: 1959 act substituted “mediator” for “investigator”; 1969 act substituted “labor” disputes for “industrial” disputes and required appointment of at least five mediators rather than one as previously; P.A. 81-15 afforded mediators a testimonial privilege in order to prevent disclosure of confidential communications made by parties to the mediator, unless the right is waived by the affected party.

Cited. 163 C. 327; 171 C. 613.

Sec. 31-97. Submission of grievance or dispute; procedure. Claim of nonarbitrability of issue. (a) Whenever a grievance or dispute arises between an employer and his employees, the parties may submit the grievance or dispute directly to said board and notify said board or its clerk in writing and upon payment by each party of a filing fee of two hundred dollars. Whenever a single public member of the board is chosen to arbitrate a grievance or dispute, as provided in section 31-93, the parties shall each be refunded the filing fee. Whenever such notification is given, a panel of said board, as directed by its chairman, shall proceed with as little delay as possible to the locality of such grievance or dispute and inquire into the causes thereof. The parties shall thereupon submit to said panel in writing, succinctly, clearly and in detail, their grievances and complaints and the causes thereof, and severally promise and agree to continue in business or at work without a strike or lockout until the decision of the panel is rendered; but such agreement shall not be binding unless such decision is rendered within ten days after the completion of the investigation. The panel shall fully investigate and inquire into the matters in controversy, take testimony under oath in relation thereto and may administer oaths and issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and for the production of books and papers.

(b) No panel of said board may consider any claim that one or more of the issues before the panel are improper subjects for arbitration unless the party making such claim has notified the opposing party and the chairman of the panel of such claim, in writing, at least ten days prior to the date of hearing, except that the panel may consider such claim if it determines there was reasonable cause for the failure of such party to comply with said notice requirement.

(1949 Rev., S. 7384; 1949, S. 3028d; P.A. 79-610, S. 37; P.A. 80-447; P.A. 82-91, S. 32, 38; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 179.)

History: P.A. 79-610 imposed $25 filing fee payable by each party; P.A. 80-447 added Subsec. (b) re claims that issues are improper subjects for arbitration; P.A. 82-91 required that whenever a single public member is chosen to arbitrate, the parties will be refunded the filing fee; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 amended Subsec. (a) to increase filing fee from $25 to $200 and make a technical change, effective July 1, 2016.

Applies as against general provision of Sec. 52-416. 136 C. 205. Cited. 145 C. 53; 163 C. 327; 171 C. 613; 200 C. 91; 206 C. 465.

Cited. 9 CA 260.

Cited. 31 CS 88.

Sec. 31-97a. Failure to prosecute grievances or disputes. Section 31-97a is repealed, effective October 1, 2002.

(P.A. 94-226, S. 1, 2; S.A. 02-12, S. 1.)

Sec. 31-98. Oral or written decision. Reduction of oral decision to writing. Compensation of members. (a) The panel, or its single member if sitting in accordance with section 31-93, may, in its discretion and with the consent of the parties, issue an oral decision immediately upon conclusion of the proceedings. If the decision is to be in writing, it shall be signed, within fifteen days, by a majority of the members of the panel or by the single member so sitting, and the decision shall state such details as will clearly show the nature of the decision and the points disposed of by the panel. Where the decision is in writing, one copy thereof shall be filed by the panel in the office of the town clerk in the town where the controversy arose and one copy shall be given to each of the parties to the controversy. The panel or single member which has rendered an oral decision immediately upon conclusion of the proceedings shall submit a written copy of the decision to each party within fifteen days from the issuance of such oral decision. In all cases where a decision is rendered orally from the bench, the secretary shall cause such oral decision to be transcribed, approved by the panel or single member as applicable and filed with the records of the board proceedings.

(b) Upon the conclusion of the proceedings, each member of the panel shall receive three hundred twenty-five dollars and a panel member who prepares a written decision shall receive an additional five hundred dollars, or the single member, if sitting in accordance with section 31-93, shall receive three hundred twenty-five dollars, provided if the proceedings extend beyond one day, each member shall receive three hundred twenty-five dollars for each additional day beyond the first day, and provided further no proceeding may be extended beyond two days without the prior approval of the Labor Commissioner for each such additional day.

(1949 Rev., S. 7385; 1949, S. 3029d; P.A. 73-176; P.A. 82-91, S. 33, 38; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-16, S. 1; P.A. 87-349, S. 1, 2; P.A. 88-275, S. 2, 3; P.A. 99-270, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3, S. 20; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 41; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 209; P.A. 21-98, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 73-176 amended provisions to allow issuance of oral decisions; P.A. 82-91 added provision that, upon conclusion of proceedings, each panel member receives $100 and a member who prepares a written decision receives an additional $50, or the single member, if sitting in accordance with Sec. 31-83, receives $150; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-16 provided that, for proceedings which extend beyond two days, the members shall be paid $50 per day, and the labor commissioner must give prior approval to any such extension; P.A. 87-349 increased compensation for panel members to $150 per member, an extra $100 for the member who prepares the written decision, and $200 for a single member sitting in accordance with Sec. 31-93; P.A. 88-275 increased compensation for single member sitting in accordance with Sec. 31-93 from $200 to $250; P.A. 99-270 divided section into Subsecs., amended Subsec. (b) to increase arbitrator fee from $50 for each day after the second day of proceedings to $75 for each day after the first day of proceedings and amended Subsec. (c) to establish a $75 arbitrator fee upon the conclusion of an executive panel session; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3 amended Subsec. (b) to increase compensation to panel members from $150 to $175 and, on and after July 1, 2006, to $225, to increase compensation to member who writes decision from $100 to $125 and, on and after July 1, 2006, to $175, to increase compensation to single panel member from $250 to $275 and, on and after July 1, 2006 to $325, and to increase compensation to all panel members for each additional day from $75 to $100 and, on and after July 1, 2006, to $150 per day and amended Subsec. (c) to increase compensation to panel members upon conclusion of executive panel from $75 to $100 and, on and after July 1, 2006, to $250, effective January 1, 2006; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 amended Subsec. (b) by increasing amount to be received by panel members from $225 to $325 and making technical changes, and amended Subsec. (c) by making a technical change, effective July 1, 2016; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (b) to increase compensation to panel member who writes decision from $175 to $500, effective October 31, 2017; P.A. 21-98 amended Subsec. (b) by increasing amount received by panel member for each additional day from $150 to $325 and amended Subsec. (c) by increasing amount received by executive panel session member from $150 to $200, effective July 1, 2021.

Time limitation is directory and not mandatory. 138 C. 57. Governs conduct of Board of Mediation and Arbitration; distinguished from Sec. 52-416; time limit is directory not mandatory. 145 C. 53. Cited. 157 C. 368; 163 C. 327; 171 C. 613; 206 C. 465; 211 C. 541.

Cited. 23 CA 727; 41 CA 649; 43 CA 800. Section applies to labor dispute heard by Board of Mediation and Arbitration; time for rehearing following vacated award. 49 CA 33.

This section rather than Sec. 52-416 is applicable to an arbitration before the Board of Mediation and Arbitration; requirement that written decision be filed within 15 days after matter has been fully heard is directory rather than mandatory; question of reasonable time for filing discussed. 20 CS 303. Cited. 31 CS 88. Appeal period under section runs from the receipt of the written copy of the decision and not from the oral rendition of the decision. 32 CS 85. Cited. 44 CS 312.

Sec. 31-99. Duty of board in case of a strike or lockout. Whenever a strike or lockout occurs or is seriously threatened and it comes to the knowledge of the board, a panel of said board, as directed by its chairman, shall proceed as soon as practicable to the locality of such strike or lockout, put itself in communication with the parties of the controversy and endeavor by mediation to effect a settlement of such strike or lockout; and may inquire into the causes of the controversy and may subpoena witnesses and send for persons and papers.

(1949 Rev., S. 7386; 1949, S. 3030d.)

Cited. 163 C. 327; 171 C. 613; 200 C. 91.

Sec. 31-100. Annual report. Confidential information. Said board shall, as provided in section 4-60, make a report to the Governor and shall include therein statements of such facts and explanations as will disclose the actual doings of the board and such suggestions as to legislation as seem to it conducive to harmony in the relations between employers and employees. The board shall hold confidential all information submitted to it by any party to a labor dispute and shall not reveal such information unless specifically authorized to do so by such party.

(1949 Rev., S. 7387; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 13; P.A. 75-32.)

History: P.A. 75-32 substituted “labor dispute” for “industrial dispute”.

Cited. 163 C. 327; 171 C. 613. Section exempts grievance arbitration proceedings from open meetings requirements of Freedom of Information Act. 244 C. 487.