(a) The commission appointed by the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of section 179.07 shall have the power to issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence which relates to any matter involved in any such hearing, and may by its chair administer oaths and affirmations, and may examine witnesses. Such attendance of witnesses and the production of such evidence may be required from any place in the state at any designated place of hearing, but whenever practical hearings shall be held in a county where the labor dispute has arisen or exists.

(b) In case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena issued under paragraph (a), the district court of the state for the county where the proceeding is pending or in which the person guilty of such contumacy or refusal to obey is found, or resides, or transacts business, or application by the commission shall have jurisdiction to issue to such person an order requiring such person to appear before the commission, there to produce evidence as so ordered, or there to give testimony touching the matter under investigation or in question, and any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof.

(c) Any party to or party affected by the dispute may appear before the commission in person or by attorney or by their representative, and shall have the right to offer competent evidence and to be heard on the issues before the report of the commission is made.

Any commissioners so appointed shall be paid a per diem allowance not to exceed that established for arbitrators in section 179A.16, subdivision 8, and their necessary expenses while serving.

History: (4254-28) 1939 c 440 s 8; 1941 c 469 s 3; 1969 c 1129 art 2 s 7; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 45 s 4; 1987 c 186 s 15