If the parties have not resolved their controversy by the end of said 45-day period, they may jointly agree to an arbitration procedure which will that must result in a binding determination of their controversy. Such determinations will be are subject to review by the Superior Court in the manner specified by section 972.

If they do not jointly agree to such an arbitration procedure within 10 days after the end of said 45-day period, then either party may, by written notice to the other, request that their differences be submitted to a board of 3 arbitrators. The bargaining agent and the public employer shall within 5 days of such request each select and name one arbitrator and shall immediately thereafter notify each other in writing of the name and address of the person so selected. The 2 arbitrators so selected and named shall, within 10 days from such request, agree upon and select and name a neutral arbitrator. If either party shall does not select its arbitrator or if the 2 arbitrators shall fail to agree upon, select and name a neutral arbitrator within said 10 days, either party may request the American Arbitration Association to utilize its procedures for the selection of the neutral arbitrator. As soon as possible after receipt of such request, the neutral arbitrator will must be selected in accordance with rules and procedures prescribed by the American Arbitration Association for making such selection. The neutral arbitrator so selected will may not, without the consent of both parties, be the same person who was selected as mediator pursuant to subsection 2 nor any member of the fact-finding board selected pursuant to subsection 3. As soon as possible after the selection of the neutral arbitrator, the 3 arbitrators or , if either party shall has not have selected its arbitrator, the 2 arbitrators, as the case may be, shall meet with the parties or their representatives, or both, forthwith, either jointly or separately, make inquiries and investigations, hold hearings , or take such other steps as they deem consider appropriate. If the neutral arbitrator is selected by utilizing the procedures of the American Arbitration Association, the arbitration proceedings will must be conducted in accordance with the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association. The hearing shall must be informal, and the rules of evidence prevailing in judicial proceedings shall are not be binding. Any and all documentary evidence and other data deemed considered relevant by the arbitrators may be received in evidence. The arbitrators shall have the power to administer oaths and to require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses, the production of books, records and other evidence relative or pertinent to the issues represented to them for determination.

If the controversy is not resolved by the parties themselves, the arbitrators shall proceed as follows: With respect to a controversy over salaries, pensions and insurance, the arbitrators will recommend terms of settlement and may make findings of fact; such recommendations and findings will be advisory only and will be made, if reasonably possible, within 30 days after the selection of the neutral arbitrator; the arbitrators may in their discretion, make such recommendations and findings public, and either party may make such recommendations and findings public if agreement is not reached with respect to such findings and recommendations within 10 days after their receipt from the arbitrators; with respect to a controversy over subjects other than salaries, pensions and insurance, the arbitrators shall make determinations with respect thereto to the controversy if reasonably possible within 30 days after the selection of the neutral arbitrator; such determinations may be made public by the arbitrators or either party; and , if made by a majority of the arbitrators, such determinations will be are binding on both parties , and the parties will must enter an agreement or take whatever other action that may be appropriate to carry out and effectuate such binding determinations; and such determinations will be are subject to review by the Superior Court in the manner specified by section 972. The results of all arbitration proceedings, recommendations and awards conducted under this section shall must be filed with the Maine Labor Relations Board at the offices of its executive director simultaneously with the submission of the recommendations and award to the parties. In the event the parties settle their dispute during the arbitration proceeding, the arbitrator or the chairman chair of the arbitration panel will shall submit a report of his activities to the Executive Director of the Maine Labor Relations Board not more than 5 days after the arbitration proceeding has terminated.