The Act requires councils to arbitrate the following types of disputes:

1. Unfair dismissal disputes if:

1. the reason is related to the employee’s conduct or capacity. (This does not apply to an employee’s participation in an unprotected strike);

2. the reason is that the employer made continued employment intolerable; and

3. the employee does not know the reason for the dismissal. (See section 191(5)(a) )

2. Disputes about severance pay (See section 196 ).

3. Unfair labour practice disputes, but excluding a dispute concerning unfair discrimination. (See item 2(1)(a) in Schedule 7).

4. Disputes in essential services as contemplated in section 74(1) .