Grievance and Arbitration Practices and Decisions in Schools: Outcomes of Rational Decision Making?

Abstract

Some researchers suggest that grievance procedures and the arbitration process are effective tools that encourage careful decision making by school districts and administrative staff in the handling of personnel decisions (Shipley, 1974). Others contend that grievance procedures, which typically include arbitration as the final stage of the process, may be a hindrance in administrators’ ability to exercise discretion in school management operations (Hess & Kelly, 2006; Johnson & Donaldson, 2006). For this empirical study, multiple case studies were conducted in the state of Florida. Semistructured interviews were conducted with district and school administrators, union leaders, and teachers to explore grievance and arbitration practices and to understand how grievance and arbitration decisions are made in districts and schools.