An impartial third party to whom the parties to an agreement refer their disputes for resolution. Section 7121(b)(1)(C)(iii) mandates that negotiated grievance procedures provide for binding arbitration of unsettled grievances.
Most commonly labor arbitrators perform grievance arbitration--i.e., they interpret and apply the terms of the agreement (including established practices)--and, in the Federal sector, laws and regulations (see applicable laws, above) bearing on conditions of employment. But they are also occasionally asked to perform interest arbitration--i.e., they resolve bargaining impasses by dictating the terms of the agreement.
Lists of qualified labor arbitrators are provided, upon request and for a fee, by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). Nothing, however, prevents the parties to an exclusive recognition relationship from creating their own panels of arbitrators from whatever sources they agree are appropriate.