Mediation of Agricultural Labor Disputes per SB 1156/AB 2596

SB 1156 and AB 2596 provide for mandatory mediation of certain contract disputes between agricultural employers and unions representing their employees. In the event no agreement is reached, the mediator issues an award to be implemented by the Agricultural Labor Relations Board.

The SMCS panel of private arbitrators who have been qualified to handle interest arbitration constitutes the pool from which names of neutrals will be drawn to handle these agricultural disputes. Mediators and arbitrators who wish to be referred for these cases must be accepted to the SMCS panel of private arbitrators, including the interest arbitration panel.