1. Each member of the Tribal Labor Panel shall have relevant experience in federal labor law and/or federal Indian law with preference given to those with experience in both. Names of individuals may be provided by such sources as, but not limited to, Indian Dispute Services, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and the American Academy of Arbitrators.

2. Unless either party objects, one (1) arbitrator from the Tribal Labor Panel will render a binding decision on the dispute under this chapter. If either party objects, the dispute will be decided by a three (3) member panel, unless arbitrator scheduling conflicts prevent the arbitration from occurring within thirty (30) days of selection of the arbitrators, in which case a single arbitrator shall render a decision. If one (1) arbitrator will be rendering a decision, five (5) Tribal Labor Panel names shall be submitted to the parties and each party may strike no more than two (2) names. If the dispute will be decided by a three (3) member panel, seven (7) Tribal Labor Panel names will be submitted and each party can strike no more than two (2) names. A coin toss shall determine which party may strike the first name. The arbitrator will generally follow the American Arbitration Association’s procedural rules relating to labor dispute resolution. The arbitrator must render a written, binding decision that complies in all respects with the provisions of this chapter within thirty (30) days after a hearing.

1. Upon certification of a union in accordance with Section 3-210, the Tribe and union shall negotiate for a period of ninety (90) days after certification. If, at the conclusion of the ninety (90) day period, no collective bargaining agreement is reached and either the union and/or the Tribe believes negotiations are at an impasse, at the request of either party, the matter shall be submitted to mediation with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The costs of mediation and conciliation shall be borne equally by the parties.

2. Upon appointment, the mediator shall immediately schedule meetings at a time and location reasonably accessible to the parties. Mediation shall proceed for a period of thirty (30) days. Upon expiration of the thirty (30) day period, if the parties do not resolve the issues to their mutual satisfaction, the mediator shall certify that the mediation process has been exhausted. Upon mutual agreement of the parties, the mediator may extend the mediation period.

3. Within twenty-one (21) days after the conclusion of mediation, the mediator shall file a report that resolves all of the issues between the parties and establishes the final terms of a collective bargaining agreement, including all issues subject to mediation and all issues resolved by the parties prior to the certification of the exhaustion of the mediation process. With respect to any issues in dispute between the parties, the report shall include the basis for the mediator’s determination. The mediator’s determination shall be supported by the record.