§ 25-5-9 — Hearings of mediation board

(a) The mediation board, acting through its chairman, shall call a hearing to be held within ten days after the date of the appointment of the chairman and, acting through its chairman, shall give at least seven days' notice in writing to each of the other two mediators, the bargaining agent, and the corporate authorities of the time and place of the hearing. The hearing shall be informal, and the rules of evidence prevailing in judicial proceedings shall not be binding. Any and all documentary evidence and other data deemed relevant by the mediators may be received in evidence. The mediators shall have the power to request by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, records, and other evidence relative or pertinent to the issues presented to them for determination. (b) Hearings conducted by the mediators shall be concluded within 20 days of the time of commencement. Within ten days after the conclusion of the hearings, the mediators shall make written findings and a written opinion upon the issues presented, a copy of which shall be mailed or otherwise transmitted to the bargaining agent or its attorney or other designated representative and the corporate authorities. A majority decision of the mediators shall be advisory in nature and shall not be binding upon either the bargaining agent or the corporate authorities.