§ 36-11-7.1 - Unresolved issues submitted to mediation.
SECTION 36-11-7.1
§ 36-11-7.1 Unresolved issues submitted tomediation. – (a) In the event that the bargaining agent and the chief executive or his orher designee are unable, within thirty (30) days from and including the date oftheir first meeting, to reach an agreement on a contract, either of them mayrequest mediation and conciliation upon any and all unresolved issues by thedirector of labor and training or from any other source. If mediation andconciliation fail or are not requested, at any time after the thirty (30) dayseither party may request that any and all unresolved issues shall be submittedto arbitration by sending such request by certified mail, postage prepaid tothe other party, setting forth the issues to be arbitrated.
(b) In the event that the negotiating or bargaining agent andthe employer are unable to reach an agreement on a contract ninety (90) daysbefore the last day on which money can be appropriated by the state to coverthe first year of the contract period, then any and all unresolved issues shallbe submitted to the director of labor and training for compulsory mediationuntil the date upon which the money is scheduled to be appropriated. Thedirector of labor and training or his or her designee may waive thisrequirement upon the mutual agreement of the parties.
(c) In the event that the negotiating or bargaining agent andthe employer are unable, within ten (10) days of the expiration of thecontract, to reach an agreement on a contract, any and all unresolved issuesshall be submitted to the director of labor and training for compulsorymediation.
(d) If the parties cannot mutually agree upon a mediatorwithin twenty-four (24) hours, the director of labor and training shall selecta mediator from a panel previously established by the director comprised ofpersons knowledgeable in the field of labor management relations to mediate thedispute. The department of labor and training is hereby empowered to compel theattendance of all parties to any and all meetings it deems necessary until thedispute is resolved.