What happens if the teachers strike again?
If the teachers strike again, they will be required by Act 88 to enter into last best-offer, nonbinding arbitration when students are unable to attend 180 instructional days by June 15, 2006. Under this procedure, the teachers would be required to go back to the classroom until a decision is made by the third party arbitrator. Last best offer arbitration is the same form of arbitration that the district requested the PTEA join them in on December 22, 2005. The PTEA rejected last best-offer arbitration on January 3, 2006. Q. What is final best-offer arbitration under Act 88?* A. Under Act 88, final best-offer arbitration is a nonbinding impasse procedure chosen by the parties designed to assist in reaching a contractual agreement. Parties can choose voluntarily to pursue arbitration, but are required to participate in final best-offer arbitration whenever an employee strike or employer lockout typically would prevent the completion of the student instructional year by June 15. Q. When a
