HARTFORD — State representatives Rosa Rebimbas (R-70) and David Labriola (R-131) have introduced a bill that would cap binding arbitration awards to the prevailing Consumer Price Index.
Binding arbitration, which is the process collective bargaining agreement disputes are settled, is conducted by three judges.
Labriola and Rebimbas have proposed capping arbitration awards to the prevailing CPI. The CPI, according to the state Department of Labor, is a measure of the average change in prices of goods and services over time in a fixed market — or the average cost of living for each Connecticut resident.
“The ultimate goal is to eliminate the entire binding arbitration system,” Labriola said in a press release. “For now, our proposal constitutes a reasonable step towards providing sorely needed relief to municipalities regarding their budgets.”
The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Labor and Public Employees.
“This legislation will help protect towns from potentially unreasonable contract awards,” Rebimbas said in a press release.
