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Request mediation

ERB’s mediators are experienced labor relations professionals who help the parties work on resolving their differences. Mediation provides both parties opportunities to informally and creatively explore settlement options. Although mediators cannot impose a settlement, their ability to articulate mutual interests and needs often facilitates a settlement. 

 
ERB provides mediation services to public employers and labor organizations for a variety of situations, including collective bargaining, grievance mediation, and unfair labor practices. For state agencies, ERB is also available to mediate appeals filed under the State Personnel Relations Law (SPRL). See below for more information.


 

When a public agency and a certified employee organization fail to agree to a collective bargaining agreement after 150 days of bargaining, the Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA), per ORS 243.712, allows either party to submit a list of unresolved issues to the State Conciliator. The State Conciliator assigns a mediator to assist the parties in the bargaining process.

State mediators are experienced labor relations professionals who help the parties work on resolving their differences. Mediation provides both parties opportunities to informally and creatively explore  settlement options. Although mediators cannot impose a settlement, their ability to articulate mutual interests and needs often facilitates a settlement. Information that is provided to mediators is confidential.

If no agreement is reached in mediation, the PECBA provides for contract resolution through binding interest arbitration for strike-prohibited bargaining units (e.g. police, fire, 9-1-1, correctional facility employees, parole and probation, transit or bus system employees, and deputy district attorneys). All other public organizations and unions ("strike permitted" bargaining units) have the option of jointly agreeing to factfinding or proceeding with a declaration of impasse, final offer - cost summary process. If, after this process, parties do not reach agreement, the public agency may implement its final offer and the labor organization may strike.
The State Conciliation Service continues to assist the parties in reaching a final agreement at all times prior to interest arbitration, impasse, implementation, or strike. Over ninety percent (90%) of PECBA contract negotiation cases referred to mediation are settled prior to interest arbitration or strike. Less than 1% of these cases result in strike. Where a strike does occur, ERB continues mediations until a resolution is achieved.

To request mediation regarding collective bargaining matters please use this fo​rm​​.​​