The objective of this paper is to examine the arbitration process instituted in arbitration tribunals and propose a parsimonious model to enhance the predictive ability of theoretical factors affecting the outcome of public sector labour disputes. The basic data set was generated by a content analysis of 101 awards made by Israel’s Tribunal for Voluntary Arbitration (TVA) during its first eight years of operation (1977-84). Results are discussed within the context of employee groups choosing arbitration over strikes as a means of winning demands.