Dispute Resolution Procedure 21.1 All disputes or grievances arising between the Parties shall as far as practical be resolved at the workplace level through consultation. Accordingly the following procedure must be followed:
21.1.1 Initially the Employee shall discuss any grievance, dispute or claim with their immediate supervisor;
21.1.2 If the matter is not resolved at such a meeting, the Parties may hold further discussions with appropriate senior levels of management;
21.1.3 If the matter cannot be resolved at the workplace level, the Parties agree to refer the matter to Enterprise Initiatives Pty Ltd who will engage a third party mediator to mediate the dispute. Any such mediator will conduct the mediation in accordance with the provisions of Part 13, Division 6 of the Act.
21.2 To the extent that the dispute concerns Employee entitlements or Employer obligations under the Agreement the Employer will ask for the Employee's agreement to seek advice from EI Legal Pty Ltd.
21.3 This dispute resolution procedure does not apply to Employees where the Employer has given notice and reasons for termination according to clause 5 of the Agreement.
21.4 Where the Parties agree to pursue mediation the Parties:-
21.4.1 Will participate in the mediation process in good faith;
21.4.2 Acknowledge the right of other to appoint in writing, another person to act on their behalf in relation to the mediation process;
21.4.3 Agree not to commence any action against the other; and
21.4.4 Agree that during the time when the Parties attempt to resolve the matter:
i) the Parties continue to work in accordance with the contract of employment unless the Employee has a reasonable concern about an imminent risk to his or her health or safety; and
ii) subject to relevant provisions of any state or territory occupational safety law, even if the Employee has a reasonable concern about an imminent risk to his or her health or safety, the Employee must not unreasonably fail to comply with a direction by his or her Employer to perform other available work, whether at the same workplace or another workplace, that is safe and appropriate for the Employee to perform; and
iii) the Parties must cooperate to ensure that the dispute resolution procedures are carried out as quickly as is reasonably possible.
Arbitration Process Any arbitration will be conducted pursuant to the applicable rules (the “Arbitration Rules”) of the American Arbitration Association, as modified herein, to the extent such modifications are not prohibited by the Arbitration Rules. The arbitration will be conducted in Indianapolis, Indiana. The parties will select a single arbitrator, but in the event that the parties are unable to agree, the arbitrator will be appointed pursuant to the Arbitration Rules. The arbitrator will be a practicing attorney with significant expertise in litigating and/or presiding over cases involving the substantive legal areas involved in the dispute. The parties to the arbitration will not request, and the arbitrator will not order, that any discovery be taken or provided, including depositions, interrogatories or document requests, except to the extent the amount in controversy exceeds $50,000. The arbitration will be concluded within three months of the date the arbitrator is appointed. The arbitrator’s findings, reasoning, decision, and award will be stated in writing and based upon applicable law. Judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. In the event that the arbitration results in an award which imposes an injunction or contains a monetary award in excess of $100,000, the award will be reviewable on appeal initiated by filing notice of appeal with the AAA office within 30 days of the award, governed by the AAA Optional Appellate Arbitration Rules and conducted by a panel of three new arbitrators, ruling by majority, under the procedure for appointment from the national roster of arbitrators. Unless the applicable Arbitration Rules require otherwise, arbitration fees and costs will be shared equally by the claimant(s) and respondent(s), respectively, in any arbitration proceeding. Should the AAA be unavailable, unable or unwilling to accept and administer the arbitration of any claim under these arbitration provisions as written, the parties will agree on a substitute arbitration organization, such as JAMS, that will enforce the arbitration provisions as written. Because this Agreement memorializes a transaction in interstate commerce, the Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of these arbitration provisions. More information about arbitration, including the Arbitration Rules, is available at xxx.xxx.xxx or by calling 0-000-000-0000.
