ARTICLE IV - IMPASSE PROCEDURE

SECTION A - MEDIATION

When an impasse is declared, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall be requested by the parties to appoint a mediator from its staff.

The mediator shall meet with the parties or their representatives, or both, forthwith, either jointly or separately, and shall take such steps as he/she may deem necessary and appropriate to persuade the parties to resolve their differences and to effect a mutually acceptable agreement. The mediator shall not, without consent of both parties, make findings of fact or recommended terms of settlement.

If, for any reason, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is unable or unwilling to appoint a mediator, or the appointee cannot serve within fifteen (15) calendar days of his appointment, the parties shall promptly jointly request the American Arbitration Association to provide a panel of mediators in accordance with its procedures. Nothing herein shall preclude the parties from mutually appointing a mediator in any other fashion.

In the event the impasse is not resolved by the mediator, the parties may agree to other third-party attempts to reach agreement, such as the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board.

SECTION B - IMPASSE COST

The cost of the mediation shall be borne equally by the Board and the Association.