The bill amends several sections of the General Laws in Chapter 28-9.4, titled "Municipal Employees Arbitration," to enhance the rights of municipal employees regarding collective bargaining and arbitration. It establishes a clear public policy that supports the right of municipal employees to organize and negotiate collectively with their employers over wages, rates of pay, and all other terms of employment, while explicitly stating that these employees do not have the right to strike. The bill introduces a new method of arbitration to resolve disputes, recognizing the necessity of an alternative to striking.

Additionally, it specifies that the employee organization selected by municipal employees will be recognized as the sole bargaining agent unless changed by a vote of the employees. The bill outlines the procedures for arbitration hearings, including the requirement for timely notice and the informal nature of the hearings. It grants arbitrators the authority to administer oaths and issue subpoenas, and it mandates that their decisions be final and binding on both the bargaining agent and the municipal employer.

New factors for arbitrators to consider when making decisions are introduced, including comparisons of wage rates and hourly conditions of employment with similar jobs in the local area, comparisons with municipal employers in cities or towns of comparable size, the interest and welfare of the public, and various peculiarities of employment such as hazards, physical and educational qualifications, mental qualifications, and job training and skills. The bill aims to ensure a prompt, peaceful, and just resolution of disputes while maintaining the continuity of existing collective bargaining agreements during negotiations.