International Ass'n of Firefighters, Local 463 v. City of Johnstown

Opinion by

Judge Blatt,

We are asked in this appeal from the Court of Common Pleas of Cambria County whether or not the timetable provisions for binding arbitration are mandatory under the Act of June 24, 1968, P. L. 287, 43 P. S. §217.1 et seq. (Act 111) which gives policeman and firemen employed by political subdivisions of the Commonwealth the right to collective bargaining.

Section 3 of Act 111, 43 P. S. §217.3, provides:

“Collective bargaining shall begin at least six months before the start of the fiscal year of the political subdivision . . . and any request for arbitration . . . shall be…