Chapter 1. General Provisions of California Government Code >> Division 4.5. >> Title 1. >> Chapter 1.

There is within the Public Employment Relations Board a division known as the California State Mediation and Conciliation Service, which shall conduct the services provided pursuant to Section 3601 and carryout the functions vested by any other statute in the California State Mediation and Conciliation Service, the State Mediation and Conciliation Service, the State Conciliation Service, or the Division of Conciliation of the Department of Industrial Relations.

The board may investigate and mediate labor disputes providing any bona fide party to this type of dispute requests intervention by the board and the board may proffer its services to both parties when work stoppage is threatened and neither party requests intervention. In the interest of preventing labor disputes, the board shall endeavor to promote sound union-employer relationships. The board may arbitrate or arrange for the selection of boards of arbitration on those terms that as all of the bona fide parties to the dispute may agree upon. Any decision or award arising out of an arbitration conducted pursuant to this section is a public record. Section 703.5 and Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1115) of Division 9 of the Evidence Code apply to a mediation conducted by the California State Mediation and Conciliation Service, and any person conducting the mediation. All other records of the California State Mediation and Conciliation Service relating to labor disputes are confidential.

Notwithstanding any other law, the board may seek and collect reimbursement from private and public sector employers, labor unions, and employee organizations for election, arbitration, training, and facilitation services provided by the California State Mediation and Conciliation Service pursuant to Section 3601 and for representation services, including the provision of hearing officers, related to public transit labor relations provided by the California State Mediation and Conciliation Service pursuant to the Public Utilities Code.