ORS 243.746
Selection of arbitrator

  • arbitration procedure
  • last best offers
  • bases for findings and opinions
  • sharing arbitration costs

(1)

In carrying out the arbitration procedures authorized in ORS 243.712 (Mediation upon failure to agree after 150-day period), 243.726 (Public employee strikes) (3)(c) and 243.742 (Binding arbitration when strike prohibited), the public employer and the exclusive representative may select their own arbitrator.

(2)

Where the parties have not selected their own arbitrator within five days after notification by the Employment Relations Board that arbitration is to be initiated, the board shall submit to the parties a list of seven qualified, disinterested, unbiased persons. A list of Oregon interest arbitrations and fact-findings for which each person has issued an award shall be included. Each party shall alternately strike three names from the list. The order of striking shall be determined by lot. The remaining individual shall be designated the “arbitrator”:

(a)

When the parties have not designated the arbitrator and notified the board of their choice within five days after receipt of the list, the board shall appoint the arbitrator from the list. However, if one of the parties strikes the names as prescribed in this subsection and the other party fails to do so, the board shall appoint the arbitrator only from the names remaining on the list.

(b)

The concerns regarding the bias and qualifications of the person designated by lot or by appointment may be challenged by a petition filed directly with the board. A hearing shall be held by the board within 10 days of filing of the petition and the board shall issue a final and binding decision regarding the person’s neutrality within 10 days of the hearing.

(3)

The arbitrator shall establish dates and places of hearings. Upon the request of either party or the arbitrator, the board shall issue subpoenas. Not less than 14 calendar days prior to the date of the hearing, each party shall submit to the other party a written last best offer package on all unresolved mandatory subjects, and neither party may change the last best offer package unless pursuant to stipulation of the parties or as otherwise provided in this subsection. The date set for the hearing may thereafter be changed only for compelling reasons or by mutual consent of the parties. If either party provides notice of a change in its position within 24 hours of the 14-day deadline, the other party will be allowed an additional 24 hours to modify its position. The arbitrator may administer oaths and shall afford all parties full opportunity to examine and cross-examine all witnesses and to present any evidence pertinent to the dispute.

(4)

Where there is no agreement between the parties, or where there is an agreement but the parties have begun negotiations or discussions looking to a new agreement or amendment of the existing agreement, unresolved mandatory subjects submitted to the arbitrator in the parties’ last best offer packages shall be decided by the arbitrator. Arbitrators shall base their findings and opinions on these criteria giving first priority to paragraph (a) of this subsection and secondary priority to paragraphs (b) to (h) of this subsection as follows:

(a)

The interest and welfare of the public.

(b)

The reasonable financial ability of the unit of government to meet the costs of the proposed contract giving due consideration and weight to the other services, provided by, and other priorities of, the unit of government as determined by the governing body. A reasonable operating reserve against future contingencies, which does not include funds in contemplation of settlement of the labor dispute, shall not be considered as available toward a settlement.

(c)

The ability of the unit of government to attract and retain qualified personnel at the wage and benefit levels provided.

(d)

The overall compensation presently received by the employees, including direct wage compensation, vacations, holidays and other paid excused time, pensions, insurance, benefits, and all other direct or indirect monetary benefits received.

(e)

Comparison of the overall compensation of other employees performing similar services with the same or other employees in comparable communities. As used in this paragraph, “comparable” is limited to communities of the same or nearest population range within Oregon. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, the following additional definitions of “comparable” apply in the situations described as follows:

(A)

For any city with a population of more than 325,000, “comparable” includes comparison to out-of-state cities of the same or similar size;

(B)

For counties with a population of more than 400,000, “comparable” includes comparison to out-of-state counties of the same or similar size;

(C)

Except as otherwise provided in subparagraphs (D), (E) and (F) of this paragraph, for the State of Oregon, “comparable” includes comparison to other states;

(D)

For the Department of State Police troopers, “comparable” includes the base pay for city police officers employed by the five most populous cities in this state;

(E)

For Department of State Police telecommunicators, as defined in ORS 181A.355 (Definitions for ORS 181A.355 to 181A.689), “comparable” includes the base pay for telecommunicators employed by the five public safety answering points in this state, as defined in ORS 403.105 (Definitions for ORS 305.823 and 403.105 to 403.250), with the most employees; and

(F)

For assistant attorneys general, “comparable” includes comparison to the base pay for attorneys who are employed by a public corporation, a nonprofit organization, a public university listed in ORS 352.002 (Public universities) or a city or county in this state and who perform substantially similar work.

(f)

The CPI-All Cities Index, commonly known as the cost of living.

(g)

The stipulations of the parties.

(h)

Such other factors, consistent with paragraphs (a) to (g) of this subsection as are traditionally taken into consideration in the determination of wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. However, the arbitrator shall not use such other factors, if in the judgment of the arbitrator, the factors in paragraphs (a) to (g) of this subsection provide sufficient evidence for an award.

(5)

Not more than 30 days after the conclusion of the hearings or such further additional periods to which the parties may agree, the arbitrator shall select only one of the last best offer packages submitted by the parties and shall promulgate written findings along with an opinion and order. The opinion and order shall be served on the parties and the board. Service may be personal or by registered or certified mail. The findings, opinions and order shall be based on the criteria prescribed in subsection (4) of this section.

(6)

The cost of arbitration shall be borne equally by the parties involved in the dispute. [1973 c.536 §19; 1995 c.286 §10; 2001 c.104 §76; 2009 c.878 §1; 2015 c.769 §1; 2017 c.119 §2; 2021 c.142 §1]

Source: Section 243.746 — Selection of arbitrator; arbitration procedure; last best offers; bases for findings and opinions; sharing arbitration costs, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors243.­html.

Law Review Citations

32 WLR 69 (1996)

243.005
Definitions for ORS 243.005 to 243.045
243.015
Life insurance for police and firefighters
243.025
Issuance of $10,000 life insurance certificate
243.035
Premiums and administrative costs to be budgeted and paid by public employers
243.045
Police and firefighters considered common group for certain purposes
243.055
Exemption from requirements of ORS 243.005 to 243.045 for certain public employers
243.057
Role of executive director
243.061
Public Employees’ Benefit Board
243.066
Officers
243.105
Definitions for ORS 243.105 to 243.285
243.107
Employees of public universities eligible to participate in benefit plan
243.125
Powers and duties of board
243.129
Participation in benefit plan by local government
243.135
Health benefit plans for eligible employees
243.140
Health benefit and dental plans for persons operating foster homes
243.142
Application for federal waiver
243.144
Health benefit plan coverage requirements
243.145
Board authority with respect to health benefit plans
243.156
Coverage of adult disabled children
243.160
Eligibility of retired officer or employee to participate in dental benefit plan
243.163
Eligibility of former member of Legislative Assembly to participate in group benefit plan
243.165
Public Employees’ Benefit Account
243.167
Public Employees’ Revolving Fund
243.170
Contributions for job-share employees limited
243.185
Transfer of moneys from General Fund for payment of costs of health benefit plans
243.200
Participation of self-pay groups in benefit plans
243.205
Reports
243.215
Certain eligible employees permitted to receive employer contributions for health benefit plans of their choice
243.221
Options that may be offered under flexible benefit plan
243.223
Rules for flexible benefit plans
243.252
Payment of cost for employees or retirees
243.256
Reimbursement methodology for payment to hospitals
243.275
Additional benefit plans authorized
243.285
Salary deductions
243.291
Plan eligibility
243.296
Requirements when board offers long term care insurance plan
243.302
Grouping retired and nonretired employees for health insurance coverage
243.303
Local government authority to make health care insurance coverage available to retired officers and employees, spouses and children
243.305
Policy of affirmative action and fair and equal employment opportunities and advancement
243.315
Director of Affirmative Action
243.317
Definitions for ORS 243.317 to 243.323
243.319
Written policy regarding workplace harassment
243.321
Written policies and procedures regarding investigation of report of workplace harassment
243.323
Prohibition against entering into agreement with employee that prevents employee from discussing workplace harassment
243.325
“Public employee” defined
243.330
Leaves of absence for athletic competition
243.335
Reimbursement to public employer
243.401
Definitions for ORS 243.401 to 243.507
243.411
Deferred Compensation Fund
243.416
State Treasurer as fund custodian
243.421
Investment program for fund
243.426
Accounts
243.428
Forfeited payments
243.435
Plan contents
243.440
Salary reduction for deferred compensation plan
243.445
Employee choice of plans
243.450
Disclosure statement
243.460
Effect of deferred compensation on current taxable income and on retirement programs
243.462
Option to defer compensation on after-tax basis
243.465
Rollover distribution of deferred amounts to beneficiary
243.470
Administration of deferred compensation program
243.472
Costs of plan administration assessed against participants
243.474
Investment of local government plan assets through investment program
243.476
Compliance with federal requirements
243.478
Plan administration agreements
243.482
Immunity of governmental agencies from liability for plan administration or investment of funds
243.505
Deferred Compensation Advisory Committee
243.507
Payment of deferred compensation to alternate payee under judgment or order
243.550
Dependent care assistance plan
243.555
Definitions for ORS 243.555 to 243.575
243.560
Rulemaking
243.565
Administration of plan
243.570
Compensation reduction agreement
243.575
Computation of retirement and pension benefits
243.585
Accounting system allowances for dedication of salary
243.650
Definitions for ORS 243.650 to 243.809
243.656
Policy statement
243.662
Rights of public employees to join labor organizations
243.666
Certified or recognized labor organization as exclusive employee group representative
243.668
Legislative findings
243.670
Prohibition of actions by public employer to assist, promote or deter union organizing
243.672
Unfair labor practices
243.676
Processing of unfair labor practice complaints
243.682
Representation questions
243.684
Requirements for petition for representation
243.686
Representation elections
243.692
Limitation on successive representation elections
243.696
Bargaining representatives for executive department state agencies, judicial department and legislative department
243.698
Expedited bargaining process
243.702
Renegotiation of invalid provisions in agreements
243.706
Agreement may provide for grievance and other disputes to be resolved by binding arbitration or other resolution process
243.712
Mediation upon failure to agree after 150-day period
243.716
Use of volunteers not contracting out for services
243.722
Fact-finding procedure
243.726
Public employee strikes
243.732
Refusal to cross picket line as prohibited strike
243.736
Strikes by deputy district attorneys, assistant attorneys general and certain emergency and public safety personnel
243.738
Strikes by employees of mass transit districts, transportation districts and municipal bus systems
243.742
Binding arbitration when strike prohibited
243.746
Selection of arbitrator
243.752
Arbitration decision final
243.756
Employment conditions during arbitration
243.762
Alternative arbitration procedure under collective bargaining agreement
243.766
Board duties in administration of collective bargaining laws
243.772
Effect of collective bargaining laws on local charters and ordinances
243.778
Student representation when bargaining unit includes public university faculty
243.782
Representation by counsel authorized
243.796
Definitions for ORS 243.796 to 243.806
243.798
Reasonable time granted to designated representatives to engage in certain activities during work hours
243.802
Written agreements regarding grant of period of release time for public employees to serve as designated representatives
243.804
Reasonable access to employees within bargaining unit
243.806
Agreement authorizing public employer to make deductions from salary or wages of public employee
243.808
Arbitration concerning alleged misconduct by law enforcement officer
243.809
Determinations regarding alleged misconduct of law enforcement officer in accordance with uniform standards
243.812
Commission on Statewide Law Enforcement Standards of Conduct and Discipline
243.815
Optional retirement plan for certain academic and administrative public university employees
243.820
Agreement for payment of annuity premium or investment in stock of regulated investment company
243.830
Effect of agreement on retirement contributions and benefits
243.850
Qualified football coaches plan
243.860
Definitions for ORS 243.860 to 243.886
243.862
Oregon Educators Benefit Board
243.864
Duties
243.866
Benefit plans
243.867
Participation in benefit plan by local government
243.868
Benefit plans for other than health and dental benefits
243.869
Coverage of adult disabled children
243.870
Long term care benefit plans
243.872
Requirements when board offers long term care benefit plan
243.874
Flexible benefit plans
243.876
Payroll deductions
243.877
Health benefit plan coverage requirements
243.878
Board authority with respect to health benefit plans
243.879
Reimbursement methodology for payment to hospitals
243.880
Oregon Educators Benefit Account
243.882
Monthly participation assessment
243.884
Oregon Educators Revolving Fund
243.886
Limitations on district participation in benefit plans
243.910
Definitions for ORS 243.910 to 243.945
243.920
Assisting employees to obtain supplemental benefits
243.930
Board contributions
243.935
Employer assumption of full amount of employee contributions
243.940
Employee election
243.945
Employees not eligible for assistance
243.950
Public Safety Memorial Fund
243.952
Public Safety Memorial Fund Board
243.954
Definitions for ORS 243.954 to 243.974
243.956
Eligibility for benefits from fund
243.958
Initial application for benefits
243.959
Supplemental application for benefits
243.960
Application information public record
243.962
Determination of award amount
243.964
Order
243.966
Reconsideration
243.968
Payment of awards
243.969
Payment of lump sum benefits
243.970
Authority of board
243.972
Gifts
243.974
Designation of beneficiary form
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