Washington Arbitration Case

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Roberts,

Resort to binding arbitration for the resolution of labor disputes between political subdivisions of' this Commonwealth and their police and fire department employees was authorized by the Act of June 24, 1968, P. L. , 43 P.S. §217.1 et seq. (Supp. 1969). Under the authority of this statute the City of Washington entered into negotiations with its policemen. It soon became apparent that no voluntary agreement could be reached and that the parties would have to invoke the arbitration provisions of the aforementioned statute. Arbitration was entered into, hearings…