Factfinding: A Dispute Resolution Procedure for Collective Bargaining

Many different forms of impasse procedure exist to facilitate arrival at an agreement once the parties, engaged in negotiations, reach an impasse. The more traditional approaches have tended to be the use of mediation (or conciliation), arbitration and strike/lockout. However, one other procedure that has widespread usage in the United States public sector and only limited usage in Canada, specifically with federal employees and Ontario teachers, is that of factfinding. This study examines the procedure by reviewing the existing literature on the subject.