Para enmendar el inciso (a) del Artículo 7 de la Ley Núm. 130 de 8 de mayo de 1945, según enmendada, conocida como la “Ley de Relaciones del Trabajo de Puerto Rico”, a los fines de disponer que, cuando exista un acuerdo de arbitraje compulsorio pactado por las partes en un convenio colectivo para atender controversias relacionadas con alegadas violaciones al convenio, dicho foro arbitral tendrá jurisdicción exclusiva para atender tales controversias; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Disputes about alleged CBA violations covered by a compulsory arbitration clause must be heard exclusively in the designated arbitration forum.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida

Summary of Bill PC 1215 (Session 2025-2028, Puerto Rico)

Purpose and intent

The bill aims to amend subsection (a) of Article 7 of Puerto Rico Law No. 130 of May 8, 1945, as amended, known as the “Labor Relations Act of Puerto Rico.”

The primary purpose is to establish that when there is a compulsory arbitration agreement negotiated by the parties within a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to address disputes related to alleged violations of the CBA, the arbitration forum will have exclusive jurisdiction to adjudicate those disputes.

In short: disputes arising from alleged CBA violations that are covered by a compulsory arbitration clause would be resolved exclusively through the designated arbitration process, rather than through any other forum (e.g., courts).

Key provisions and changes

Amends Article 7(a) of Law No. 130, 1945 (as amended).

Introduces exclusivity: if the parties have a compulsory arbitration agreement within their CBA for matters related to alleged CBA violations, that arbitration forum gains exclusive jurisdiction over those disputes.

The rest of the bill’s text indicates alignment with existing framework for labor relations and arbitration, but the central change is to confine jurisdiction for CBA-violation disputes to the agreed arbitration forum.

Who would be affected

Employers and employees who are signatories to CBAs containing a compulsory arbitration clause for disputes about alleged violations of the CBA.

Arbitration forums/tribunals designated in CBAs as the exclusive forum for such disputes.

The Department of Labor and/or agencies responsible for labor relations enforcement may be indirectly affected in terms of case referrals, enforcement, and coordination with arbitration bodies.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Action history:

Radicado (filed) on 2026-04-10.
Appears in Primera Lectura (First Reading) in the Cámara on 2026-04-13.
Referred to appropriate commissions on 2026-04-13.

No specific dates for implementation, funding, or transition period are provided in the summary text. If enacted, a timeframe would typically be determined by subsequent legislative action or regulations specifying when the exclusivity provision takes effect.

Potential impacts and considerations

Legal clarity: Creates a clear rule that disputes over CBA violations covered by a compulsory arbitration clause must be heard in the arbitration forum chosen by the parties, potentially reducing court involvement in such matters.

Access and fairness: Depending on how the arbitration process is structured (e.g., speed, cost, grounds for appeal), this could affect how employees and employers seek redress.

Enforcement: May necessitate alignment with enforcement mechanisms to ensure arbitration awards are recognized and enforceable under Puerto Rico law.

Precedent for labor disputes: Establishes a model for exclusive arbitration jurisdiction in related labor disputes, potentially influencing future CBAs and dispute-resolution terms.

Note

The bill as described focuses narrowly on clarifying jurisdictional exclusivity for disputes arising from compulsory arbitration agreements within CBAs related to alleged CBA violations. Further details would appear in the bill’s full text and any committee reports, including definitions, exceptions, and transitional provisions.