(a) All files, reports, letters, memoranda, minutes, documents, or other papers in the official custody of the Arkansas Mediation and Conciliation Service or any of its employees, or any other information, whether written or not, obtained in the course of any employee's official duties, relating to or acquired in its or their official activities under the labor laws of the state or the rules and regulations lawfully promulgated by the Director of the Department of Labor, are confidential.

(b) No confidential records or information shall be disclosed to any unauthorized person or be taken or withdrawn, copied, or removed from the custody of the service or its employees or former employees by any person or by any agent or representative of the person without the prior written consent of the representatives of both parties to the dispute involved.

(c) All information and material prepared or received by officers or employees shall be held in strictest confidence.

(d) Papers, reports, and copies thereof pertaining to or a part of dispute case files are not personal property but are the property of the state.

(e) Officers or employees terminating their connection with the service shall not be allowed to either keep or obtain copies of dispute case material or other official papers. Furthermore, all information, whether written or not, obtained in the course of their official duties must, after termination of their connection with the service, be treated by former employees with the same confidentiality as if they were still connected with the service.