Appointment of arbitrator by commission.

(1) In addition to any contractually agreed method for selecting arbitrators, the parties may mutually request the commission to, and the commission shall, appoint a qualified person who may be an employee of the commission to act as an arbitrator to assist in the resolution of a labor dispute between an employer and an exclusive bargaining representative arising from the application of the matters contained in a collective bargaining agreement. The arbitrator shall conduct such arbitration of such dispute in a manner as provided for in the collective bargaining agreement.(2) The commission may not collect any fees or charges from such employer or such exclusive bargaining representative for services performed by the commission under the provisions of this chapter.(3) The provisions of chapter 49.08 RCW do not apply to this chapter.[ 2026 c 130 s 16.]