(a) The arbitration panel shall mail or otherwise deliver a copy of the decision to the parties. However, the decision of the arbitration panel shall not be publicly disclosed, and shall not be binding, for a period of five days after service to the parties. During that five-day period, the parties may meet privately, attempt to resolve their differences and, by mutual agreement, amend or modify the decision of the arbitration panel.
§ 1299.7.Copy of Decision Delivered Or Mailed to Parties; Decision Not Binding For Period of Five Days After Service; Disclosure and Binding Effect After Five Day Period; Rejection By Employer
Title 9.5. Arbitration of Firefighter and Law Enforcement Officer Labor Disputes · Last amended 2004 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1299.7 keeps the panel's decision confidential and nonbinding for five days after delivery to let the parties privately negotiate changes, after which it becomes public and binding unless the employer's governing body unanimously rejects it.
Full Text of § 1299.7
(b) At the conclusion of the five-day period, which may be extended by the parties, the arbitration panel's decision, as may be amended or modified by the parties pursuant to subdivision (a), shall be publicly disclosed and, unless the governing body acts in accordance with subdivision (c), shall be binding on all parties, and, if specified by the arbitration panel, be incorporated into and made a part of any existing memorandum of understanding as defined in Section 3505.1 of the Government Code.
(c) The employer may by unanimous vote of all the members of the governing body reject the decision of the arbitration panel, except as specifically provided to the contrary in a city, county, or city and county charter with respect to the rejection of an arbitration award.
Plain-English Summary
Even after the panel decides, this section gives the parties one last chance to work things out on their own terms. The decision is mailed or delivered to both sides, but it stays confidential and nonbinding for five days, during which the parties can meet privately and, if they agree, amend or modify what the panel decided.
Once that five-day window closes -- longer if the parties extend it -- the decision, as amended if the parties changed it, becomes public. At that point it binds everyone and can be folded into a memorandum of understanding, unless the employer's governing body unanimously votes to reject it, or unless a charter for that city, county, or city and county specifically addresses rejecting an arbitration award differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the panel's decision immediately public and binding?
No. It stays confidential and nonbinding for five days after service, giving the parties a chance to privately negotiate changes.
Can the parties change the panel's decision during that five-day period?
Yes, by mutual agreement, they may amend or modify it before it becomes public and binding.
Can the employer just refuse to be bound by the decision?
Only through a unanimous vote of the governing body to reject it, unless a charter provides its own different procedure for rejecting an arbitration award.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats 2003 ch 877 (SB 440),s 1, eff. 1/1/2004. Added by Stats 2000 ch 906 (SB 402), s 2, eff. 1/1/2001.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: rejecting arbitration decision firefighter policefive day confidential period arbitration award