The State Board of Mediation and Arbitration (SBMA) is a state agency that is empowered under Chapter 560 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

The objectives of the Board are to save jobs by maintaining peaceful employer/employee relations, and to promote equity between labor and management by resolving labor disputes. This is accomplished through the mediation and arbitration services available to employers and employee organizations in the public and private sector.

The goal is to provide efficient, professional and timely mediation services of grievances and contracts in the public and private sector area. The mediation process helps promote an atmosphere conducive to assisting labor and management in resolving collective bargaining controversies.

Understanding that there is a need for labor and management to shift towards cooperation and away from conflict, the Board offers the services of mediation for outreach and education programs in the art of dispute settlement.

The Board provides arbitration services for the purpose of arbitration of disputes over the application or interpretation of the terms of a written collective bargaining agreement.

The Board administers Binding Interest Arbitration under Section 7-473c and Section 5-276, of the Connecticut General Statues.

Board meetings are held on the third Monday of every other month, unless otherwise noted. Meetings are noticed and open to the public.