(a) If it is the decision of the Union to submit the grievance to arbitration, then the Union shall notify the Department of Human Resources in writing within fifteen (15) workdays after the final answer of the City has been received by the Union. All such appeals shall be submitted to the Labor Management Forum under paragraph B unless the parties mutually agree otherwise.
Within seven (7) calendar days after this notification, the Union or the City shall provide written notification to the other if the use of expedited arbitration under Section 2115.24 is desired. The parties will confer within seven (7) calendar days thereafter to decide if the expedited labor arbitration process is to be used, as set forth in this contract. If neither side requests expedited arbitration or the parties do not agree upon same, then the following process is to be followed.
(b) Two (2) representatives from the Union and two (2) from the City shall meet on a bi-monthly basis to discuss grievances appealed to arbitration since their last session and any other matters mutually agreed upon. Where more than two (2) representatives are needed to effectively deal with items on the agenda, up to two (2) more may attend from each side provided two (2) days advance notice is supplied of this need. The meetings shall serve as a forum for discussing the potential for resolving pending disputes. Information exchanged or positions taken may not serve as admissions in any later arbitrations or other legal proceedings.
Grievances not resolved in the forum may by mutual agreement still be submitted to Expedited Arbitration under Section 2115.24, or may be submitted by the Union to binding arbitration pursuant to part (c) of this section. The Union must confirm in writing within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of this labor- management forum that the grievance will proceed to arbitration; otherwise, the grievance will be considered as resolved based on the City's answer to the grievance.
(c) A list of seven (7) arbitrators shall be requested from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) or another mutually agreed source. Unless otherwise agreed, any list from FMCS shall be requested from the Northern Ohio and Michigan Sub Regions. After receipt of the list, either party may submit a written request to the non-moving party to strike a panel. The City and the Union shall alternately strike one (1) name from the list. The side to strike the first name shall be chosen by lot. If the non- moving party fails to strike the panel within twenty (20) workdays of receipt of the written request, then the moving party has the right to submit its preference in accordance with federal FMCS policies. The non-moving party shall have fourteen (14) calendar days to respond to the moving party's preference.
(d) The Arbitrator shall conduct a hearing within a reasonable time of his selection, at a time, date and place mutually agreed to by the parties. The Arbitrator shall render a decision within a reasonable time of the conclusion of the hearing, unless the parties agree to an extension. The Arbitrator shall not amend, add to or delete any of the provisions of this Agreement.