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Collective Bargaining Highlights--December 2007

9. Negotiations

On average, private sector agreements were settled within 2.7 months from the start of negotiations, compared to 13.2 months in the public sector (Table 5).

Of all settlements reached during the fourth quarter, 14 agreements covering 56% of employees were settled directly by the parties, compared to 21 agreements, covering 21% of employees that were reached through conciliation or mediation. Six agreements involving 23% of employees were settled in arbitration.

In the public sector, 63% of employees reached settlements in direct bargaining, while 28% settled through arbitration. In the private sector, 77% of employees reached agreements through conciliation or mediation and 23% settled through direct bargaining (Table 6).