Opinion ID: 2086340
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Tenure of the Impartial Chairperson

Text: As to the tenure of the impartial chairperson, the Legislature responded to the hit-and-run characterization of Act 312 arbitrators by significantly modifying § 5 of the original act in four major respects. First, eligibility for and MERC appointment as panel chairperson is now restricted to MERC-appointed members of a MERC-established permanent panel  the Michigan Employment Relations Commission Panel of Arbitrators  whereas, before, any impartial, competent and reputable person might be selected by either the delegates or the chairperson of the State Labor Mediation Board to fulfill this role. Second, members of the MERC-established and -appointed permanent panel now not only have to be impartial, competent, and reputable citizens of the United States but must also be residents of the state of Michigan; this latter requirement was absent from the earlier act's express terms. Third, permanent panelists must qualify by taking and subscribing the constitutional oath or affirmation of office, whereas neither an oath nor an affirmation had been previously required. Fourth, the term of office on the MERC Panel of Arbitrators is indeterminate; tenure can either run as long as a panelist chooses  for that matter, for life  or the panelist may be removed without cause by the MERC. The four modifications wrought by the 1976 PA 84 amendments to § 5 have greatly altered the atmosphere of accountability surrounding the service of arbitration panel chairpersons. In the first place, the chairperson is no longer treated as an at-large one-time chair of a single and particular labor dispute panel. Rather, the chairperson is treated as a member of a permanent MERC Panel of Arbitrators who can be called upon by MERC, as appropriate, to serve as panel chairperson for any number of labor disputes. [48] This obviously paints out the picture of a hit-and-run arbitrator who is allegedly unconcerned about the impact of his or her decision, and paints in the true picture of an arbitrator seeking continued employment by both MERC and public employers/employees over a length of time, and consequently recognizing the impact of his or her decisions as a significant factor in re-employment. [49] Second, since members of the MERC Panel of Arbitrators must be residents of the state, the panelist cannot escape the impact of his or her decision by retreating to a foreign jurisdiction but will be required to bear its impact on his or her reputation and credibility for arbitral employment in Michigan where continued employment is sought. [50] This too militates against a hit-and-run mentality. Third, the oath-taking requirement certainly imposes an aura of tenure. [51] It is an aspect of public office and responsibility. This requirement should act as both a psychological deterrent to hit-and-run service and an encouragement to public responsibility. Fourth, the indeterminate term on the permanent panel, although terminable without cause, certainly implies a degree of tenure and continuation. It also implies the importance of continued responsible behavior. This is so especially because obviously irresponsible behavior can terminate tenure. [52] Again, this tenure provision encourages accountability and responsibility. Considered collectively, the aforementioned factors tend to eradicate the image of hit-and-run arbitrators and act as a catalyst to the establishment of a class of arbitrators possessing both the aspects of tenure and responsibility which are certainly compatible with the notion of political or public accountability. This complexion of political responsibility and accountability has been further magnified by the 1976 PA 84 intensification of selection responsibility in a traditionally politically accountable center of authority, i.e., MERC Commissioners who are direct appointees of the Governor subject to Senate confirmation. [53]