The five regions where appeals arbitration is available include Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Seattle, and San Francisco. Preliminary results of this pilot project have been positive. Disadvantages to MSPB arbitration for unions include greater costs, the board's sole goal of upholding the agency's actions, and the lack of a right to select the arbitrator. MSPB should be abolished, but if this is impossible, the MSPB should contract out the hearing officer's role to professionally accredited arbitrators. The discussion includes a review of the complex relationship between the Merit Systems Protection Board and Federal labor arbitration, a look at two troubling aspects on the board's appeals arbitration (economic constraints and fair representation), and costs. Nine notes are provided.