Sec. 174.153. REQUEST FOR ARBITRATION; AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE. (a) A public employer or an association that is a bargaining agent may request the appointment of an arbitration board if:

(1) the parties:

(A) reach an impasse in collective bargaining; or

(B) are unable to settle after the appropriate lawmaking body fails to approve a contract reached through collective bargaining;

(2) the parties made every reasonable effort, including mediation, to settle the dispute through good-faith collective bargaining; and

(3) the public employer or association gives written notice to the other party, specifying the issue in dispute.

(b) A request for arbitration must be made not later than the fifth day after:

(1) the date an impasse was reached under Section 174.152; or

(2) the expiration of an extension period under Section 174.152.

(c) An election by both parties to arbitrate must:

(1) be made not later than the fifth day after the date arbitration is requested; and

(2) be a written agreement to arbitrate.

(d) A party may not request arbitration more than once in a fiscal year.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.