Labor

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The AAA’s Labor Contract Clauses

ADR clauses

Ensuring your labor contracts contain clear and enforceable arbitration clauses is key to resolving disputes efficiently.
Any dispute, claim, or grievance arising from or relating to the interpretation or application of this agreement shall be submitted to arbitration administered by the AAA under its Labor Arbitration Rules. The parties further agree to accept the arbitrator’s award as final and binding on them.

Setting the Standard in Labor Dispute Resolution

Benefits

Expertise: Our panel of seasoned labor arbitrators and mediators brings extensive experience interpreting collective bargaining agreements, resolving grievances, and navigating complex labor relations issues.

Neutrality: The AAA’s arbitrators and mediators are impartial and independent, providing a fair and unbiased process for labor and management.

Efficiency: Our streamlined procedures help resolve disputes quickly, minimizing workplace disruptions.

Finality: Arbitral awards are binding and enforceable, providing closure to disputes and allowing both parties to move forward.

Expertise You Can Rely On

Why AAA?

Download All stats Why AAA?

4,500+ labor cases

filed in 2024

39% of labor cases

closed in 2024 were settled

271 days

filing to award in 2024

Types of Labor Disputes We Handle

Dispute types

We manage a wide range of labor disputes arising from alleged violations of collective bargaining agreements, including but not limited to:

Dispute types

Disciplinary Actions

Including termination, suspension, and demotion.

Wages & Hours

Disputes over compensation, overtime, and working schedules.

Working Conditions

Issues related to safety and the workplace environment.

Seniority & Job Assignments

Conflicts over rank, promotions, and job placements.

Contract Interpretation

Disagreements on the application and meaning of collective bargaining agreements.

Strikes & Lockouts

Managing and resolving work stoppages and employer lockouts.

Pension & the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)

Disputes related to retirement benefits and employee benefits plans.

Specialized Labor services

Specialized Arbitration Services

  • Expedited Arbitration: Fast-tracking certain cases to reach a resolution more quickly. Learn More
  • List Only & List with Appointment: With List Only Services, the AAA provides the parties with a tailored list of qualified arbitrators. The service is limited to providing a list. With List and Appointment, the AAA provides a list and facilitates the selection of the arbitrator and the appointment process, including the ranking, an invitation to serve, and the conflict checks.
Request for Arbitrator Select: List Only Request for Arbitrator Select: List & Appointment

Election services

Did You Know That the AAA Provides Election Services?

The AAA’s experienced election experts provide impartial, accurate, cost-effective, and timely election administration to public and private organizations, from ballot preparation to tabulation and results certification, which is produced within 24 hours.

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The AAA Labor Panel of Arbitrators and Mediators

Panel

Labor-Management Expertise

Panelists bring specialized knowledge in collective bargaining, workplace grievances, employment law, and union-management relations. 

Commitment to Neutrality

Panelists from the AAA uphold the highest standards of impartiality to provide a fair and balanced resolution process.

Diverse Perspectives

The AAA is committed to maintaining a diverse roster of arbitrators and mediators, reflecting a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives to meet the needs of our clients.

Proven Track Record

Many panelists have decades of experience resolving disputes across industries, including public and private sectors, helping navigate even the most complex labor challenges.

Supporting Labor Dispute Resolution with Expert-Led Education

Educational programs

The AAA offers a diverse range of educational programs tailored to meet the needs of labor and management professionals. Whether you’re a union representative, human resources professional, attorney, shop steward, or business agent, our programs are designed to provide practical skills.

Explore all of our educational offerings and find the right program for your professional development. Visit our Education Services page to learn more and register for upcoming events.

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Latest Updates

News

AAA® Partners with Scheinman Institute at the ILR School at Cornell to Launch National Program to Expand Labor Arbitration and Mediation Services

True Value of the AAA’s Labor Services

The AAA’s Labor Arbitration News

AAAi Chat Book: Labor Arbitration AI

Get fast, focused, referenced answers to your labor arbitration questions.

Self-representation

Are You Self-Represented?

In arbitration, you don’t have to have a lawyer represent you (unless state law requires it), but it’s important to know that arbitration is a final and binding process that can affect your rights. So, if you are considering representing yourself, it’s a good idea to talk to a lawyer. If you do decide to go through arbitration without a lawyer, the AAA has resources to help you.
Learn more

Documents for Labor Arbitration and Mediation

Rules, forms, and fees

Labor Arbitration Rules

Impartial Umpire Rules for Arbitration of Impasses Between Trustees of Joint Employee Benefit Trust Funds

Employee Benefit Plan Claims Arbitration Rules

Election Arbitration Rules

Rules for the Impartial Determination of Union Fees

Grievance Mediation Procedures

Expedited Labor Arbitration Procedures

Labor Arbitration Fee Schedule

Labor Arbitration Rules Demand for Arbitration

Expert Resources to Navigate Labor Disputes

Resource library

AAA Standards of Conduct for Parties and Representatives

AAA-ICDR Standards of Conduct for Parties and Representatives

Code of Professional Responsibility for Arbitrators of Labor-Management Disputes

Comparison of Expedited Processes for Labor Arbitration

"Controlling the Cost of Grievance and Employment Arbitration: Practical Tips for Practitioners"

Customized On-Site/Virtual Training for Labor and Management Dispute Resolution

"Overemployed: The Old Laws and the New Trend of Working Two Full-time Remote Jobs"

Qualification Criteria for Admittance to the AAA Labor Panel

Revolutionize Your Organization’s Elections with the AAA Online Elections Platform

Summary of Changes for the Multi-Employer Pension Plan Arbitration Rules for Withdrawal Liability Disputes

Subpoenas Process FAQ

Where Can I Find an Arbitration Clause?

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Frank Binda

Aaron Schmidt