3214

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 704

The Charter of Baltimore City

Article II - General Powers

(55) (A) To provide by ordinance an orderly procedure for
participation by municipal employees and their representatives in
the formulation of labor relations and personnel policies,
recognizing the right of employees to organize and bargain
collectively through representatives of their own choosing and
generally authorizing the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to
provide for (1) the manner of establishing units appropriate for
collective bargaining and of designating or selecting exclusive
bargaining representatives; (2) the rights of the employer,
employees and the employee organization designated as the
exclusive representative in an appropriate unit; (3) the
procedure for the negotiation of a collective bargaining
agreement with respect to the terms and conditions of employment
and the manner for resolution of a negotiation impasse; (4) the
payment of a service fee, as a condition of continuing
employment, for administration of the collective bargaining
agreement and the right of the exclusive representative to the
checkoff of dues or service fees; (5) the designation of unfair
labor practices and remedies for the same; (6) the definition of
a grievance and the procedure for resolution; and (7) other
related matters to effectuate the ordinance. The Mayor and City
Council of Baltimore are authorized, consistent with the
provisions of the Charter of Baltimore City, to submit to binding
arbitration any dispute arising from the interpretation of, or
the application of, any collective bargaining agreement with an
exclusive representative. BINDING ARBITRATION FOR FIRE FIGHTERS
AND FIRE OFFICERS SHALL BE CONDUCTED AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION
(B). This section does not authorize a strike by any municipal
employee or employees. Until amended by ordinance, the presently
existing municipal employee relations ordinance shall remain in
force and effect.

(B) (1) IF THE CERTIFIED EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION OR
ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING FIRE FIGHTERS AND FIRE OFFICERS WITHIN
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE EMPLOYER HAVE NOT REACHED A WRITTEN
AGREEMENT CONCERNING TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT BY MARCH
1 OF ANY YEAR, EITHER PARTY MAY REQUEST ARBITRATION BY A BOARD OF
ARBITRATION, AS HEREIN PROVIDED, WHICH REQUEST MUST BE HONORED.

(2) THE BOARD OF ARBITRATION SHALL BE COMPOSED OF 3
MEMBERS, 1 APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR, AND 1 APPOINTED JOINTLY BY THE
CERTIFIED EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING THE FIRE FIGHTERS
AND FIRE OFFICERS INVOLVED. THESE MEMBERS SHALL BE SELECTED
WITHIN 4 DAYS OF THE REQUEST FOR ARBITRATION. THE THIRD MEMBER
SHALL BE SELECTED WITHIN 4 ADDITIONAL DAYS BY THE 2 ARBITRATORS
PREVIOUSLY CHOSEN AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES OF THE
AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION FROM A LIST FURNISHED BY THE
ASSOCIATION. SUCH MEMBER SELECTED SHALL ACT AS CHAIRMAN OF THE
BOARD OF ARBITRATION. THE BOARD OF ARBITRATION THUS ESTABLISHED
SHALL COMMENCE THE ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS WITHIN 7 DAYS AFTER