Gov. Scott Walker's sweeping proposal to scale back collective bargaining rights for most public employees in Wisconsin has sparked a rancorous standoff with teachers across the state--and fueled speculation about whether similar plans will gain traction in other parts of the country. But as massive demonstrations played out in Madison--an…

Examination of arbitration decisions in Wisconsin teacher wage disputes, 1977-86, found that wage increases agreed to earlier by comparable school districts had a substantial impact on the arbitrators' decisions. (SK)

Findings suggest that not only has the use of factfinding declined within the teacher sector of public employee bargaining, but that the decline is likely to continue. Increased teacher militancy reflects the times. (Author/MW)

The state administrative agency in public sector labor relations acts as an impartial third party, administering legislation concerning public sector labor relations. When a dispute arises about any aspect of the labor-management relationship covered by law, the administrative agency steps in to resolve the dispute in a fair and impartial way. The…