1462                                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                                        Ch. 382

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aggrieved is not satisfied with the decision, he and/or his
designated representative may appeal in writing to the next step
within five days.

(3) The grievance appeal shall be presented], in
writing, to the appointing authority, or [his] A designated
representative. Within ten days after the receipt of the written
grievance appeal the appointing authority or [his] THE designated
representative shall hold a conference with the aggrieved and/or
[his] THE designated representative and shall render a written
decision to the aggrieved within 15 days after the conclusion of
the conference. In the event the aggrieved employee is not
satisfied with the decision, [he] THE EMPLOYEE and/or [his] THE
designated representative may appeal, in writing, to the next
step within ten days.

[(4)] (2) The grievance appeal shall be presented in
writing to the Secretary of the Department or [his] A designated
representative. Within ten days after the receipt of the written
grievance appeal the Secretary or [his] THE designated
representative, shall hold a conference with the aggrieved and/or
[his] THE designated representative and shall render a written
decision to the aggrieved within 15 days after the conclusion of
the conference.

[(5)] (3) If the dispute is still unresolved, the
grieving employee shall have the right to submit said dispute to
either arbitration or to the Secretary of Personnel. At the
discretion of the Secretary, and with the consent of the
grieving employee, a hearing officer from the Department may
conduct a hearing under this subsection at one of the regional
sites designated by the Secretary for hearing grievance disputes

under this subsection. In either case the appeal must be
submitted within 15 days after the receipt of the written

decision at step [four] TWO. If the grieving employee chooses to
have [his] THE grievance heard by the Secretary of Personnel, the
Secretary shall render [his] A written decision within 45 days
after the hearing is held by [him] THE SECRETARY or [his] THE
authorized representative or within 45 days after all legal
memoranda or briefs have been filed in the grievance hearing. In
the event of arbitration, the parties shall select an arbitrator
by mutual agreement. If they are unable to reach a mutual
agreement, an arbitrator shall be supplied by the American
Arbitration Association in accordance with its procedures. Any
fees resulting from arbitration shall be assessed by the
arbitrator equally between the two parties. The decision of the
arbitrator shall be advisory to the Secretary of Personnel and no
additional appeals or hearings may be considered. The Secretary
of Personnel shall make the final decision which shall be binding
on all parties. The written decision of the Secretary shall be
rendered within 15 days after the receipt of the decision of the
arbitrator.

54.