Final offer off the table (new law)

A couple of years ago, an arbitration system was adopted for settlements involving firefighters and municipalities. The arbitrator would have to choose either one proposal or the other, with no combining of proposals or looking for compromise.

A new law, sponsored by Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) and Sen. Dan Larson (DFL-Bloomington), repeals the statute, allowing arbitrators and the parties involved more flexibility.

The law was put in place with the belief that it would lead to a drop in arbitration cases. But, Atkins said, that hasn’t been the case. Getting rid of the statute “gives the power to the cities and the firefighters and allows them to do what they want to do, rather than what we told them to do,” he said.

Signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty May 5, the law is effective the following day.

HF3365/SF2948*/CH267