Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A minor dispute is a disagreement about how to follow the rules in a contract that has already been made between two parties. This is different from a major dispute, which is a disagreement about making a new contract. In labor law, minor disputes are subject to mandatory arbitration, which means a neutral third party will help the parties come to a resolution.
A minor dispute is a disagreement about the interpretation or application of a collective-bargaining agreement, as opposed to a disagreement over the formation of a new agreement. This term is commonly used in labor law under the Railway Labor Act.
For example, if a union and an employer have a collective-bargaining agreement that outlines the wages and benefits for employees, and the employer violates one of the terms, the union may file a grievance claiming a minor dispute. The dispute is minor because it does not involve negotiating a new agreement, but rather interpreting and enforcing an existing one.
Another example of a minor dispute could be a disagreement over the interpretation of a specific clause in the agreement, such as the definition of overtime or the process for filing a grievance.
Overall, a minor dispute is a conflict or controversy that arises from the interpretation or application of an existing collective-bargaining agreement, rather than the negotiation of a new one.