Tassoni's appointment OK'd
The Carcieri administration has filled in some of the blanks on how state Sen. John Tassoni, D-Smithfield, landed on the state's list of qualified mediators/arbitrators to call when there is a labor dispute.
Except there is just one problem: Senator Tassoni isn't appointed to be an arbitrator. This is just playing into the hands of the tea baggers and the right wing activists that have high jacked the school committees in Rhode Island. Just so folks know the differfence:
A mediator is someone assigned by the State to work with both sides of a labor dispute before they have reached impasse. The mediator's job is to try to get both sides to see the other sides point of view and to see if there is any room for movement by both sides. They can't force either side to do anything they don't want to and they do not issue decisions, rulings, or orders.
An arbitrator is someone assigned to act as a judge in a labor dispute. She listens to arguments from both sides, takes in evidence to support either sides respective positions, and then makes a decision about who is right and who is wrong.
An analogy? It is the difference between calling a 1-800 number to complain about something and standing before a judge and letting her rule for you or against you.
The powers exercised by theses two very different titles is extraordinary and either the ProJo doesn't care or doesn't know.
By the way: here is the cite from at least one of the laws about choosing the arbitrator:
§ 28-9.3-10 Arbitration board – Composition. – (a) Within seven (7) days after arbitration has been requested as provided in § 28-9.3-9, the negotiating or bargaining agent and the school committee shall each select and name one arbitrator and shall immediately notify each other in writing of the name and address of the person so selected. The two (2) arbitrators selected and named shall, within ten (10) days from and after their selection, agree upon and select and name a third arbitrator. If within the ten (10) days the arbitrators are unable to agree upon the selection of a third arbitrator, the third arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the rules and procedure of the American Arbitration Association.
Bravo, Pat!
ReplyDeletePlease accept my best wishes for success with your new venture.
Just promise to give us a heads-up if you decide to repeat history and sell this blog to petulant, onanistic children.
The time is right to take on the propagandists-as-journalists. Let your work and that of your contributors set a new standard for honest, courage, and decency.
Charlie Drago