Legal Definitions - Spielberg doctrine

The Spielberg Doctrine is a policy followed by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in labor law. It states that if there is a contract dispute between an employer and a union, and the contract requires binding arbitration, the NLRB will defer to the decision made by the arbitrator if:

1. The decision is not against the policies of the NLRB
2. The arbitration proceedings were fair
3. The hearing provided by the arbitrator was as fair as the one that would have been provided by the NLRB

For example, if a union and an employer have a contract that requires binding arbitration and there is a dispute over wages, the arbitrator's decision will be followed by the NLRB if the three conditions mentioned above are met.

The Spielberg Doctrine was established in the case of Spielberg Mfg. Co. in 1955. The doctrine is named after this case. The NLRB believes that deferring to an arbitrator's decision promotes industrial peace and stability. The Supreme Court has also supported the NLRB's deferral policy in several cases.