Ch. 424

2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(2)      THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT REQUIRE THE COMMISSION OR THE
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION TO AGREE TO ANY PROPOSAL OR TO MAKE ANY
CONCESSION.

(3)      (I) 1. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING SHALL NOT BEGIN LATER
THAN SEPTEMBER 1 BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF A FISCAL YEAR FOR WHICH AN
AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN REACHED BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND THE
CERTIFIED REPRESENTATIVE.

2. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING SHALL FINISH ON OR BEFORE
THE FOLLOWING FEBRUARY 1.

(II) DURING THE PERIOD SET IN SUBPARAGRAPH (I)1 OF THIS
PARAGRAPH, THE PARTIES SHALL NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH.

(4)      SALARIES AND WAGES SHALL BE UNIFORM FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN
THE SAME CLASSIFICATION.

(5)      (I) THE COMMISSION AND THE EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION SHARE
THE COSTS OF BINDING ARBITRATION EQUALLY.

(II) THE ARBITRATOR HAS NO AUTHORITY TO AMEND, ADD TO, OR
SUBTRACT FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT.

(B) (1) IF A PARTY CONSIDERS A BARGAINING PROPOSAL TO CONTRAVENE
THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSION UNDER § 11.5 111(C) OF
THIS TITLE OR OTHERWISE TO VIOLATE THIS SECTION, THE PARTY SHALL PETITION
THE LABOR RELATIONS ADMINISTRATOR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE
BARGAINING PROPOSAL CONSTITUTES A NEGOTIABILITY DISPUTE THAT
CONTRAVENES THIS SECTION.

(2) THE PROCEDURE FOR RESOLVING A NEGOTIABILITY DISPUTE SHALL
FOLLOW THE PROCESS FOR REVIEWING UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGES, EXCEPT
THAT THE LABOR RELATIONS ADMINISTRATOR MAY SHORTEN THE TIME PERIODS OR
ORDER ANY EXPEDITED PROCEDURE APPROPRIATE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

(3) THE LABOR RELATIONS ADMINISTRATOR MAY ORDER A PARTY TO
WITHDRAW ALL OR PART OF A BARGAINING PROPOSAL THAT CONTRAVENES THIS
SECTION.

(4) UNLESS APPEALED ON THE BASIS OF BEING ARBITRARY,
CAPRICIOUS, OR EXCEEDING THE AUTHORITY OF A PARTY, ANY DECISION OR ORDER
REACHED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION IS FINAL.

(6)      (I) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS TITLE,
PENSION AND OTHER RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR ACTIVE EMPLOYEES MAY NOT BE
SUBJECT TO BINDING ARBITRATION.

(II) COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ABOUT PENSION AND OTHER
RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR ACTIVE EMPLOYEES UNDER THIS SECTION MAY NOT
REQUIRE THE WSSC TO OFFER MORE THAN ONE PENSION PLAN TO ITS EMPLOYEES.

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