Mediation Process A. Mediation is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) that may be requested by the City or the PBA. It is an alternative, not a substitute for the formal arbitration process contained in Section 19.8 above. Mediation is an informal process in which a neutral third party assists the opposing parties in reaching a voluntary, negotiated resolution of a charge of discipline. The decision to mediate is completely voluntary for the PBA and the City. Mediation gives the parties the opportunity to discuss the issues raised in the charging document, clear up misunderstandings, determine the underlying interests or concerns, find areas of agreement and, ultimately, incorporate those areas of agreement into solutions. A mediator does not resolve the charge or impose a decision on the parties. Instead, the mediator helps the parties to agree on a mutually acceptable resolution. The mediation process is strictly confidential. Information disclosed during mediation will not be revealed to anyone. B. If both parties agree, a mediation session conducted by a trained and experienced mediator shall be scheduled at a mutually convenient date and time. Either party may choose to have an attorney represent them during mediation. Persons attending the mediation session shall have the authority to resolve the dispute. If mediation is unsuccessful, the parties may proceed to follow the provisions for Arbitration. Information disclosed during mediation will not be revealed to anyone. C. The parties and, if they desire, their representatives and/or attorneys, are invited to attend a mediation session. No one else may attend without the permission of the parties and the consent of the mediator(s). D. The mediator(s) will not function as the representative of either party. However, the mediator(s) may assist the parties in understanding their rights and the terms of any proposed settlement agreement. Each party acknowledges being advised to seek independent legal review prior to signing any settlement agreement. E. The parties acknowledge that the mediator(s) possesses the discretion to terminate the mediation at any time of any impasse occurs or either party or the mediator deems the case inappropriate for mediation. F. Prior to mediation, both the City and the PBA (or Employee, only in disciplinary matters) shall enter into a confidentiality agreement, as follows: 1. This is an agreement by the parties to participate in a mediation involving the City against the above named employee. The parties understand that mediation is a voluntary process, which may be terminated at any time. 2. The parties agree to participate voluntarily in mediation in an effort to resolve the charge(s) filed by the City. 3. The parties agree that all matters discussed during the mediation are confidential, unless otherwise discoverable, and cannot be used as evidence in any subsequent administrative or judicial proceeding. Confidentiality, however, will not extend to threats of imminent physical harm or incidents of actual violence that occur during the mediation. 4. Any communications between the mediator(s) and/or the parties are considered dispute resolution communications with a neutral and will be kept confidential. 5. The parties agree not to subpoena the mediator(s) or compel the mediator(s) to produce any documents provided by a party in any pending or future administrative or judicial proceeding. The mediator(s) will not voluntarily testify on behalf of a party in any pending or future administrative or judicial proceeding. The parties further agree that the mediator(s) will be held harmless for any claim arising from the mediation process. 6. The parties recognize and agree that the City is subject to Chapter 119, Fla. Stat., relating to public documents. Therefore, all information including all notes, records, or documents generated during the course of the mediation shall be subject to the exemption contained in Section 119.071 (d)(1), Fla. Stats., until the settlement of the matter, or the conclusion of the arbitration, if any, with the exception of the personal notes of the mediator. 7. If a settlement is reached by all the parties, the agreement shall be reduced to writing and when signed shall be binding upon all parties to the agreement, unless the agreement requires City Commission approval, in which case the agreement will not become binding until publicly approved by the City Commission. Said agreement shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 119, Fla. Stats. If the charge(s) is not resolved through mediation, the parties may proceed to follow the provisions for arbitration.
Dispute Resolution Process Any claim, dispute or other matter in question not resolved by the process identified in Paragraph
Grievance Process (a) Either party, with the agreement of the other party, may submit a grievance to Grievance Mediation at any time within ten (10) working days after the Employer’s decision has been rendered at the step prior to arbitration. Where the matter is so referred, the mediation process shall take place before the matter is referred to Arbitrator. (b) Grievance Mediation shall be scheduled within twenty (20) working days of the grievance being submitted to mediation, or longer period as agreed by the parties. (c) No matter may be submitted to Grievance Mediation which has not been properly carried through the grievance procedure, provided that the parties may extend the time limits fixed in the grievance procedure. (d) The parties shall agree on a mediator. (e) Proceedings before the Mediator shall be informal. Accordingly, the rules of evidence will not apply, no record of the proceedings shall be made and legal counsel shall not be used by either party, unless otherwise mutually agreed. (f) If possible, an agreed statement of facts will be provided to the Mediator, and if possible, in advance of the Grievance Mediation Conference. (g) The Mediator will have the authority to meet separately with either party. (h) If no settlement is reached within five (5) working days following Grievance Mediation, the parties are free to submit the matter to Arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the collective agreement. In the event that a grievance which has been mediated subsequently proceeds to arbitration, no person serving as the Mediator may serve as an Arbitrator, unless otherwise mutually agreed. Nothing said or done by the mediator may be referred to Arbitration. (i) The Union and Employer will share the cost of the Mediator, if any.
Arbitration Process Any arbitration will be conducted pursuant to the applicable rules (the “Arbitration Rules”) of the American Arbitration Association, as modified herein, to the extent such modifications are not prohibited by the Arbitration Rules. The arbitration will be conducted in Indianapolis, Indiana. The parties will select a single arbitrator, but in the event that the parties are unable to agree, the arbitrator will be appointed pursuant to the Arbitration Rules. The arbitrator will be a practicing attorney with significant expertise in litigating and/or presiding over cases involving the substantive legal areas involved in the dispute. The parties to the arbitration will not request, and the arbitrator will not order, that any discovery be taken or provided, including depositions, interrogatories or document requests, except to the extent the amount in controversy exceeds $50,000. The arbitration will be concluded within three months of the date the arbitrator is appointed. The arbitrator’s findings, reasoning, decision, and award will be stated in writing and based upon applicable law. Judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. In the event that the arbitration results in an award which imposes an injunction or contains a monetary award in excess of $100,000, the award will be reviewable on appeal initiated by filing notice of appeal with the AAA office within 30 days of the award, governed by the AAA Optional Appellate Arbitration Rules and conducted by a panel of three new arbitrators, ruling by majority, under the procedure for appointment from the national roster of arbitrators. Unless the applicable Arbitration Rules require otherwise, arbitration fees and costs will be shared equally by the claimant(s) and respondent(s), respectively, in any arbitration proceeding. Should the AAA be unavailable, unable or unwilling to accept and administer the arbitration of any claim under these arbitration provisions as written, the parties will agree on a substitute arbitration organization, such as JAMS, that will enforce the arbitration provisions as written. Because this Agreement memorializes a transaction in interstate commerce, the Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of these arbitration provisions. More information about arbitration, including the Arbitration Rules, is available at ▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇ or by calling ▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇.
Informal Dispute Resolution Process 1. In the event there is a dispute under this Centralized Contract, the Contractor, OGS and Authorized User agree to exercise their best efforts to resolve the dispute as soon as possible. The Contractor, OGS and Authorized User shall, without delay, continue to perform their respective obligations under this Centralized Contract which are not affected by the dispute. Primary responsibility for resolving any dispute arising under this Centralized Contract shall rest with the Authorized User’s Contractor Coordinators and the Contractor’s Account Executive and the State & Local Government Regional General Manager. 2. In the event the Authorized User is dissatisfied with the Contractor’s Products provided under this Centralized Contract, the Authorized User shall notify the Contractor in writing pursuant to the terms of the Contract. In the event the Contractor has any disputes with the Authorized User, the Contractor shall so notify the Authorized User in writing. If either party notifies the other of such dispute, the other party shall then make good faith efforts to solve the problem or settle the dispute amicably, including meeting with the party’s representatives to attempt diligently to reach a satisfactory result through negotiation. 3. If negotiation between the Contractor and Authorized User fails to resolve any such dispute to the satisfaction of the parties within fourteen (14) business days or as otherwise agreed to by the Contractor and Authorized User, of such notice, then the matter shall be submitted to the State's Contract Administrator and the Contractor’s senior executive officer representative. Such representatives shall meet in person and shall attempt in good faith to resolve the dispute within the next fourteen (14) business days or as otherwise agreed to by the parties. This meeting must be held before either party may seek any other method of dispute resolution, including judicial or governmental resolutions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this section shall not be construed to prevent either party from seeking and obtaining temporary equitable remedies, including injunctive relief. 4. The Contractor shall extend the informal dispute resolution period for so long as the Authorized User continues to make reasonable efforts to cure the breach, except with respect to disputes about the breach of payment of fees or infringement of its or its licensors’ intellectual property rights.