Arbitrators' perceptions of accounting data in assessing ability to pay

The public interest will be advanced if accounting data are evaluated properly and in an informed fashion in arbitration proceedings. This chapter focuses on arbitrators' perceptions of the relevance of accounting data in assessing ability to pay wage claims. Seven propositions indicative of perceptions are drawn from a selection of Canadian arbitration cases. Australian experience is cited for comparative purposes. Some general evaluative guidelines and recommendations are proposed to help show how accounting data ought to be invoked.