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Simple English definitions for legal terms
major dispute
Read a random definition: ca. sa
A quick definition of major dispute:
A major dispute is a big argument or disagreement that has led to a lawsuit or legal action. In labor law, it refers to a disagreement about basic working conditions that can result in a new collective-bargaining agreement or changes to an existing one. This type of dispute is subject to mandatory arbitration under the Railway Labor Act. It is different from a minor dispute, which is a disagreement about the interpretation or application of an existing collective-bargaining agreement.
A more thorough explanation:
A major dispute is a conflict or controversy that has given rise to a particular lawsuit. In labor law, it refers to a disagreement about basic working conditions that often results in a new collective-bargaining agreement or a change in the existing agreement.
Under the Railway Labor Act, two classes of disputes are subject to mandatory arbitration: major and minor disputes. A major dispute is also known as a new-contract dispute.
- A union and a company are unable to agree on wages and benefits for their workers, leading to a strike. This is a major dispute.
- A disagreement between a union and a company over the interpretation of a clause in their collective-bargaining agreement is a minor dispute.
The examples illustrate that a major dispute involves a fundamental disagreement about working conditions, while a minor dispute involves a disagreement over the interpretation or application of an existing agreement.