Werdlow v. Detroit Policemen & Firemen Retirement System Board of Trustees

A labor dispute between the city of Detroit and the Detroit Police Officers Association (DPOA) was submitted to binding arbitration pursuant to 1969 PA 312 (Act 312), MCL 423.231 et seq.1 The arbitration panel determined that the composition of the pension board would be altered. Previously an 11-member board, it was concluded that two board members would be replaced and a twelfth member would be added. The same pension board acted on behalf of four different unions, and participation in the arbitration was limited to plaintiff city and the DPOA. Although the arbitration involved only one…