SPECIAL MASTER MEDIATION IN IMPASSE RESOLUTION - THE FLORIDA EXPERIENCE

This article examines the extent and effectiveness of mediation use by special masters during impasse hearings to resolve collective bargain ing disputes in Florida's public sector. The research is based on a qu estionnaire survey that produced a response rate of 85 percent (only 4 0 special masters are certified to practice in Florida). Results indic ated special masters are most effective when they use mediation tactic s designed to manage the dispute format, emphasize the costs of contin ued disagreement, and facilitate the exploration of possible solutions . The results also identified certain contingent mediation behaviors a nd suggested that the timing of mediation tactics across the early, mi ddle, and late stages of a hearing is just as critical to successful d ispute resolution as the specific tactics used. Implications for speci al master practice and for mediation in general are discussed.