Section 54454.

The conciliator shall perform the following duties:

(a) Meet with the parties involved in the bargaining process in an attempt to resolve the dispute.

(b) Participate in negotiations and have authority to offer suggestions and recommendations to resolve the dispute.

(c) The total time allotted for conciliation shall not exceed 10 calendar days unless the conciliator feels that an additional period of five calendar days is likely to resolve the dispute. The determination of the conciliator on whether to extend the period of conciliation shall be based on the progress of negotiations during the conciliation process, the impact of a time delay on the parties, and other relevant factors.

(d) If a settlement has not been arrived at through the conciliation process, upon the conclusion of the process and within the time requirements of subdivision (c), the conciliator shall make a final recommendation to the parties as to what he or she believes will equitably resolve the dispute and result in a negotiated settlement. Each party shall be required to respond to the other party, and to the conciliator with their position and response to the conciliator's final recommendations.

(Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 510, Sec. 5.)