Part 2: Current Negotiation Issues and Trends — Inflation Predictions

Part 2: Current Negotiation Issues and Trends — Inflation Predictions

By Jim Cline and Kate Kremer

In the last Newsletter article in this series, we updated you on recent inflation numbers. This included a surprisingly large jump in the inflation reported in June, followed by a modest decline in July. Do the July numbers indicate that we’ve turned a corner? If so, how far can we expect the CPI to drop? That’s the topic that we turn to today.

[Read more…]

Part 1: Current Negotiation Issues and Trends — Latest in CPI

Part 1: Current Negotiation Issues and Trends — Latest in CPI

By Jim Cline and Kate Kremer

Earlier this month we presented a webinar covering recent inflation and contract settlement trends with a focus on what lies ahead for groups currently in negotiations or planning to start them soon. The webinar and transcript are available on our Premium Website. This article is the first of a series on these issues.

[Read more…]

15 Lessons from the Island County Interest Arbitration Decision

15 Lessons from the Island County Interest Arbitration Decision

By Jim Cline

Every arbitration contains lessons to apply to contract negotiations. Sometimes the lessons involve an extension of standards ways that arbitrators approach issues, and sometimes they involve unique situations or novel arguments on existing issues.

[Read more…]