"SECTION 3765m. 104.04 of the statutes is amended to read:
104.04 Classifications; department's authority. The department shall investigate, ascertain, determine and fix such reasonable classifications, and shall impose general or special orders, determining the living-wage, and shall carry out the purposes of ss. 104.01 to 104.12. Such investigations, classifications and orders shall be made pursuant to the proceeding in ss. 101.01 to 101.25, which are hereby made a part hereof, so far as not inconsistent with ss. 104.01 to 104.12; and every order of the department shall have the same force and effect as the orders issued pursuant to said ss. 101.01 to 101.25, and the penalties therein shall apply to and be imposed for any violation of ss. 104.01 to 104.12. In determining the living-wage, the department may consider the effect that an increase in the living-wage might have on the economy of the state, including the effect of a living-wage increase on job creation, retention and expansion, on the availability of entry-level jobs and on regional economic conditions within the state. The department may not establish a different minimum wage for men and women. Said orders shall be subject to review in the manner provided in ch. 227.
SECTION 3765p. 104.04 of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:".
492.
Page 1292, line 24: after the last period insert: "In determining the living-wage, the department may consider the effect that an increase in the living-wage might have on the economy of the state, including the effect of a living-wage increase on job creation, retention and expansion, on the availability of entry-level jobs and on regional economic conditions within the state.".
493.
Page 1296, line 6: restore the stricken material.
494.
Page 1296, line 7: restore "department of"; after "services" insert "revenue"; restore the stricken comma; and restore "state or".
495.
Page 1296, line 12: restore the stricken material.
496.
Page 1297, line 12: delete the material beginning with that line and ending with page 1298, line 8.
497.
Page 1298, line 24: after that line insert:
"SECTION 3782am. 110.08 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
110.08 (2) Except as provided under s. 343.16 (1) (b) and (c), all examinations for operator's licenses and permits shall be given by state examiners.".
498.
Page 1302, line 2: delete "at any time" and substitute "on or after October 1, 1998".
499.
Page 1305, line 9: after that line insert:
"SECTION 3783b. 111.07 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
111.07 (2) (a) Upon the filing with the commission by any party in interest of a complaint in writing, on a form provided by the commission, charging any person with having engaged in any specific unfair labor practice, it shall mail a copy of such complaint to all other parties in interest. Any other person claiming interest in the dispute or controversy, as an employer, an employe, or their representative, shall be made a party upon application. The commission may bring in additional parties by service of a copy of the complaint. Only one such complaint shall issue against a person with respect to a single controversy, but any such complaint may be amended in the discretion of the commission at any time prior to the issuance of a final order based thereon. The person or persons so complained of shall have the right to file an answer to the original or amended complaint and to appear in person or otherwise and give testimony at the place and time fixed in the notice of hearing. The commission shall fix a time for the hearing on such complaint, which will be not less than 10 nor more than 40 days after the filing of such complaint, and notice shall be given to each party interested by service on the party personally or by mailing a copy thereof to the party at the party's last-known post-office address at least 10 days before such hearing. In case a party in interest is located without the state and has no known post-office address within this state, a copy of the complaint and copies of all notices shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state with the department of financial institutions and shall also be sent by registered mail to the last-known post-office address of such party. Such filing and mailing shall constitute sufficient service with the same force and effect as if served upon the party located within this state. Such hearing may be adjourned from time to time in the discretion of the commission and hearings may be held at such places as the commission shall designate.".
500.
Page 1312, line 5: after that line insert:
"SECTION 3789x. 111.32 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
111.32 (3) "Conviction record" includes, but is not limited to, information indicating that an individual has been convicted of any felony, misdemeanor or other offense, has been adjudicated delinquent, has been less than honorably discharged, or has been placed on probation or community supervision, fined, imprisoned or paroled pursuant to any law enforcement or military authority.".
501.
Page 1313, line 4: delete lines 4 to 25 and substitute:
"SECTION 3793am. 111.70 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
111.70 (1) (a) "Collective bargaining" means the performance of the mutual obligation of a municipal employer, through its officers and agents, and the representatives representative of its municipal employes in a collective bargaining unit, to meet and confer at reasonable times, in good faith, with the intention of reaching an agreement, or to resolve questions arising under such an agreement, with respect to wages, hours and conditions of employment, and with respect to a requirement of the municipal employer for a municipal employe to perform law enforcement and fire fighting services under s. 61.66, except as provided in sub. (4) (m) and (n) and s. 40.81 (3) and except that a municipal employer shall not meet and confer with respect to any proposal to diminish or abridge the rights guaranteed to municipal employes under ch. 164. The duty to bargain, however, does not compel either party to agree to a proposal or require the making of a concession. Collective bargaining includes the reduction of any agreement reached to a written and signed document. The municipal employer shall not be required to bargain on subjects reserved to management and direction of the governmental unit except insofar as the manner of exercise of such functions affects the wages, hours and conditions of employment of the municipal employes in a collective bargaining unit. In creating this subchapter the legislature recognizes that the public municipal employer must exercise its powers and responsibilities to act for the government and good order of the municipality jurisdiction which it serves, its commercial benefit and the health, safety and welfare of the public to assure orderly operations and functions within its jurisdiction, subject to those rights secured to public municipal employes by the constitutions of this state and of the United States and by this subchapter.
SECTION 3793c. 111.70 (1) (dm) of the statutes, as created by 1993 Wisconsin Act 16, section 2207ahm, is repealed and recreated to read:
111.70 (1) (dm) "Economic issue" means any issue that creates a new or increased financial liability upon the municipal employer, including salaries, overtime pay, sick leave, payments in lieu of sick leave usage, vacations, clothing allowances in excess of the actual cost of clothing, length-of-service credit, continuing education credit, shift premium pay, longevity pay, extra duty pay, performance bonuses, health insurance, life insurance, vacation pay, holiday pay, lead worker pay, temporary assignment pay, retirement contributions, severance or other separation pay, hazardous duty pay, certification or license payment, job security provisions, limitations on layoffs and contracting or subcontracting of work that would otherwise be performed by municipal employes in the collective bargaining unit with which there is a labor dispute.
SECTION 3793e. 111.70 (1) (nc) of the statutes, as created by 1993 Wisconsin Act 16, section 2207aho, is repealed and recreated to read:
111.70 (1) (nc) 1. "Qualified economic offer" means an offer made to a labor organization by a municipal employer that includes all of the following, except as provided in subd. 2.:
a. A proposal to maintain the percentage contribution by the municipal employer to the municipal employes' existing fringe benefit costs as determined under sub. (4) (cm) 8s., and to maintain all fringe benefits provided to the municipal employes in a collective bargaining unit, as such contributions and benefits existed on the 90th day prior to expiration of any previous collective bargaining agreement between the parties, or the 90th day prior to commencement of negotiations if there is no previous collective bargaining agreement between the parties.
b. In any collective bargaining unit in which the municipal employe positions were on August 12, 1993, assigned to salary ranges with steps that determine the levels of progression within each salary range during a 12-month period, a proposal to provide for a salary increase of at least one full step for each 12-month period covered by the proposed collective bargaining agreement, beginning with the expiration date of any previous collective bargaining agreement, for each municipal employe who is eligible for a within range salary increase, unless the increased cost of providing such a salary increase, as determined under sub. (4) (cm) 8s., exceeds 2.1% of the total compensation and fringe benefit costs for all municipal employes in the collective bargaining unit for any 12-month period covered by the proposed collective bargaining agreement, or unless the increased cost required to maintain the percentage contribution by the municipal employer to the municipal employes' existing fringe benefit costs and to maintain all fringe benefits provided to the municipal employes, as determined under sub. (4) (cm) 8s., in addition to the increased cost of providing such a salary increase, exceeds 3.8% of the total compensation and fringe benefit costs for all municipal employes in the collective bargaining unit for any 12-month period covered by the proposed collective bargaining agreement, in which case the offer shall include provision for a salary increase for each such municipal employe in an amount at least equivalent to that portion of a step for each such 12-month period that can be funded after the increased cost in excess of 2.1% of the total compensation and fringe benefit costs for all municipal employes in the collective bargaining unit is subtracted, or in an amount equivalent to that portion of a step for each such 12-month period that can be funded from the amount that remains, if any, after the increased cost of such maintenance exceeding 1.7% of the total compensation and fringe benefit costs for all municipal employes in the collective bargaining unit for each 12-month period is subtracted on a prorated basis, whichever is the lower amount.
c. A proposal to provide for an average salary increase for each 12-month period covered by the proposed collective bargaining agreement, beginning with the expiration date of any previous collective bargaining agreement, for the municipal employes in the collective bargaining unit at least equivalent to an average cost of 2.1% of the total compensation and fringe benefit costs for all municipal employes in the collective bargaining unit for each 12-month period covered by the proposed collective bargaining agreement, beginning with the expiration date of any previous collective bargaining agreement, including that percentage required to provide for any step increase and any increase due to a promotion or the attainment of increased professional qualifications, as determined under sub. (4) (cm) 8s., unless the increased cost of providing such a salary increase, as determined under sub. (4) (cm) 8s., exceeds 2.1% of the total compensation and fringe benefit costs for all municipal employes in the collective bargaining unit for any 12-month period covered by the proposed collective bargaining agreement, or unless the increased cost required to maintain the percentage contribution by the municipal employer to the municipal employes' existing fringe benefit costs and to maintain all fringe benefits provided to the municipal employes, as determined under sub. (4) (cm) 8s., in addition to the increased cost of providing such a salary increase, exceeds 3.8% of the total compensation and fringe benefit costs for all municipal employes in the collective bargaining unit for any 12-month period covered by the collective bargaining agreement, in which case the offer shall include provision for a salary increase for each such period for the municipal employes covered by the agreement at least equivalent to an average of that percentage, if any, for each such period of the prorated portion of 2.1% of the total compensation and fringe benefit costs for all municipal employes in the collective bargaining unit that remains, if any, after the increased cost of such maintenance exceeding 1.7% of the total compensation and fringe benefit costs for all municipal employes in the collective bargaining unit for each 12-month period and the cost of a salary increase of at least one full step for each municipal employe in the collective bargaining unit who is eligible for a within range salary increase for each 12-month period is subtracted from that total cost.
2. "Qualified economic offer" may include a proposal to provide for an average salary decrease for any 12-month period covered by a proposed collective bargaining agreement, beginning with the expiration date of any previous collective bargaining agreement, for the municipal employes covered by the agreement, in an amount equivalent to the average percentage increased cost of maintenance of the percentage contribution by the municipal employer to the municipal employes' existing fringe benefit costs, as determined under sub. (4) (cm) 8s., and the average percentage increased cost of maintenance of all fringe benefits provided to the municipal employes represented by a labor organization, as such costs and benefits existed on the 90th day prior to commencement of negotiations, exceeding 3.8% of the total compensation and fringe benefit costs for all municipal employes in the collective bargaining unit required for maintenance of those contributions and benefits for that 12-month period if the increased cost of maintenance of those costs and benefits exceeds 3.8% of the total compensation and fringe benefit costs for all municipal employes in the collective bargaining unit for that 12-month period.".
502.
Page 1314, line 1: delete lines 1 to 5 and substitute:
"SECTION 3794am. 111.70 (1) (ne) of the statutes is amended to read:
111.70 (1) (ne) "School district professional employe" means a municipal employe who is a professional employe and who is employed by to perform services for a school district, who holds a license issued by the state superintendent of public instruction under s. 115.28 (7), and whose employment requires that license.
SECTION 3794c. 111.70 (1) (nm) of the statutes, as affected by 1993 Wisconsin Act 16, is repealed is recreated to read:
111.70 (1) (nm) "Strike" includes any strike or other concerted stoppage of work by municipal employes, and any concerted slowdown or other concerted interruption of operations or services by municipal employes, or any concerted refusal to work or perform their usual duties as municipal employes, for the purpose of enforcing demands upon a municipal employer. Such conduct by municipal employes which is not authorized or condoned by a labor organization constitutes a "strike", but does not subject such labor organization to the penalties under this subchapter. This paragraph does not apply to collective bargaining units composed of municipal employes of any county or municipal employes who are engaged in law enforcement or fire fighting functions.
SECTION 3794d. 111.70 (3) (a) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
111.70 (3) (a) 4. To refuse to bargain collectively with a representative of a majority of its employes in an appropriate collective bargaining unit. Such refusal shall include action by the employer to issue or seek to obtain contracts, including those provided for by statute, with individuals in the collective bargaining unit while collective bargaining, mediation or fact-finding concerning the terms and conditions of a new collective bargaining agreement is in progress, unless such individual contracts contain express language providing that the contract is subject to amendment by a subsequent collective bargaining agreement. Where the employer has a good faith doubt as to whether a labor organization claiming the support of a majority of its employes in an appropriate bargaining unit does in fact have that support, it may file with the commission a petition requesting an election to that claim. An employer shall not be deemed to have refused to bargain until an election has been held and the results thereof certified to the employer by the commission. The violation shall include, though not be limited thereby, to the refusal to execute a collective bargaining agreement previously agreed upon. A violation also includes a failure to advise a labor organization whether the municipal employer accepts or rejects a fact-finder's recommendations under sub. (4) (ce) 2. The term of any collective bargaining agreement shall not exceed 3 years.
SECTION 3794e. 111.70 (3) (a) 7. of the statutes, as affected by 1993 Wisconsin Act 16, is repealed and recreated to read:
111.70 (3) (a) 7. To refuse or otherwise fail to implement an arbitration decision lawfully made under sub. (4) (cm).
SECTION 3794f. 111.70 (3) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
111.70 (3) (b) 3. To refuse to bargain collectively with the duly authorized officer or agent of a municipal employer, provided it is the recognized or certified exclusive collective bargaining representative of employes in an appropriate collective bargaining unit. Such refusal to bargain shall include, but not be limited to, the refusal to execute a collective bargaining agreement previously agreed upon. A violation also includes a failure by a labor organization to advise a municipal employer whether it accepts or rejects a fact-finder's recommendations under sub. (4) (ce) 2.
SECTION 3794g. 111.70 (3) (b) 6. of the statutes, as affected by 1993 Wisconsin Act 16, is repealed and recreated to read:
111.70 (3) (b) 6. To refuse or otherwise fail to implement an arbitration decision lawfully made under sub. (4) (cm).
SECTION 3794gg. 111.70 (3) (b) 7. of the statutes is created to read:
111.70 (3) (b) 7. In the case of municipal employes of a county, other than those engaged in law enforcement or fire fighting functions, to engage in, or induce or encourage any municipal employes to engage in a strike or other concerted refusal to perform their usual duties as municipal employes.
SECTION 3794h. 111.70 (4) (c) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
111.70 (4) (c) (title) Methods for peaceful settlement of disputes; law enforcement and fire fighting personnel.
SECTION 3794i. 111.70 (4) (c) 4. of the statutes, as affected by 1993 Wisconsin Act 16, is repealed and recreated to read:
111.70 (4) (c) 4. 'Applicability.' This paragraph applies only to municipal employes who are engaged in law enforcement or fire fighting functions.
SECTION 3794j. 111.70 (4) (ce) of the statutes is created to read:
111.70 (4) (ce) Methods for peaceful settlement of disputes; nonprotective county employes. 1. 'Mediation.' The commission may function as a mediator in any labor dispute. Such mediation may be carried on by a person designated to act by the commission upon request of one or both of the parties or upon initiation of the commission. The function of the mediator shall be to bring the parties together voluntarily under such favorable auspices as will tend to effectuate settlement of the dispute, but neither the commission nor a mediator shall have the power of compulsion.
2. 'Fact-finding.' a. If a dispute has not been settled after a reasonable period of negotiation and after the settlement procedures, if any, established by the parties have been exhausted, the parties jointly may petition the commission, in writing, to initiate fact-finding and to make recommendations to resolve the dispute.
b. Upon receipt of a petition to initiate fact-finding, the commission shall make an investigation with or without a formal hearing, to determine whether a deadlock exists. After its investigation the commission shall certify the results thereof. If the commission certifies that a deadlock exists, it shall appoint a qualified, disinterested person or, if jointly requested by the parties, a 3-member panel to function as a fact finder.
c. The fact finder may establish dates and places of hearings, and shall conduct the hearings pursuant to rules established by the commission. Upon request, the commission shall issue subpoenas for hearings conducted by the fact finder. The fact finder may administer oaths. Upon completion of the hearing, the fact finder shall make written findings of fact and recommendations for resolution of the dispute and shall cause them to be served on the parties and the commission. Costs of fact-finding proceedings shall be divided equally between the parties. At the time the fact finder submits a statement of his or her costs to the parties, the fact finder shall submit a copy thereof to the commission at its Madison office.
d. Any fact finder may endeavor to mediate the dispute in which the fact finder is involved at any time prior to the issuance of the fact finder's recommendations.
e. Within the time period mutually agreed upon by the parties, or if no time period is agreed to within 30 days after receipt of the fact-finder's recommendations, each party shall advise the other, in writing, as to its acceptance or rejection, in whole or in part, of the fact finder's recommendations and, at the same time, transmit a copy of such notice to the commission at its Madison office.
3. 'Remedies in event of strike.' Upon establishing that a strike is in progress, the employer may either seek an injunction or file a prohibited practice charge with the commission under sub. (3) (b) 7. or both. The existence of an administrative remedy does not constitute grounds for denial of injunctive relief. The occurrence of a strike and the participation therein by municipal employes do not affect the rights of the municipal employer, in law or in equity, to deal with the strike, including:
a. The right to impose discipline, including discharge, or suspension without pay, of any municipal employe participating in the strike.
b. The right to cancel the reinstatement eligibility of any municipal employe engaging in the strike.
c. The right of the municipal employer to request the imposition of fines, either against the labor organization or against any municipal employe engaging in the strike, or to sue for damages because of such strike activity.
4. 'Application.' This paragraph applies only to municipal employes of a county, other than municipal employes who are engaged in law enforcement or fire fighting functions.
SECTION 3794k. 111.70 (4) (cm) of the statutes, as affected by 1993 Wisconsin Act 16, is repealed and recreated to read:
111.70 (4) (cm) Methods for peaceful settlement of disputes; other personnel. 1. 'Notice of commencement of contract negotiations.' For the purpose of advising the commission of the commencement of contract negotiations, whenever either party requests the other to reopen negotiations under a binding collective bargaining agreement, or the parties otherwise commence negotiations if no such agreement exists, the party requesting negotiations shall immediately notify the commission in writing. Upon failure of the requesting party to provide such notice, the other party may so notify the commission. The notice shall specify the expiration date of the existing collective bargaining agreement, if any, and shall set forth any additional information the commission may require on a form provided by the commission.
2. 'Presentation of initial proposals; open meetings.' The meetings between parties to a collective bargaining agreement or proposed collective bargaining agreement under this subchapter which are held for the purpose of presenting initial bargaining proposals, along with supporting rationale, shall be open to the public. Each party shall submit its initial bargaining proposals to the other party in writing. Failure to comply with this subdivision is not cause to invalidate a collective bargaining agreement under this subchapter.
3. 'Mediation.' The commission or its designee shall function as mediator in labor disputes involving municipal employes upon request of one or both of the parties, or upon initiation of the commission. The function of the mediator shall be to encourage voluntary settlement by the parties. No mediator has the power of compulsion.
4. 'Grievance arbitration.' Parties to a dispute pertaining to the meaning or application of the terms of a written collective bargaining agreement may agree in writing to have the commission or any other appropriate agency serve as arbitrator or may designate any other competent, impartial and disinterested person to so serve.
5. 'Voluntary impasse resolution procedures.' In addition to the other impasse resolution procedures provided in this paragraph, a municipal employer and labor organization may at any time, as a permissive subject of bargaining, agree in writing to a dispute settlement procedure, including authorization for a strike by municipal employes or binding interest arbitration, which is acceptable to the parties for resolving an impasse over terms of any collective bargaining agreement under this subchapter. A copy of such agreement shall be filed by the parties with the commission. If the parties agree to any form of binding interest arbitration, the arbitrator shall give weight to the factors enumerated under subd. 7.
5s. 'Issues subject to arbitration.' In a collective bargaining unit consisting of school district professional employes, the municipal employer or the labor organization may petition the commission to determine whether the municipal employer has submitted a qualified economic offer. The commission shall appoint an investigator for that purpose. If the investigator finds that the municipal employer has submitted a qualified economic offer, the investigator shall determine whether a deadlock exists between the parties with respect to all economic issues. If the municipal employer submits a qualified economic offer applicable to any period beginning on or after July 1, 1993, no economic issues are subject to interest arbitration under subd. 6. for that period. In such a collective bargaining unit, economic issues concerning the wages, hours or conditions of employment of the school district professional employes in the unit for any period prior to July 1, 1993, are subject to interest arbitration under subd. 6. for that period. In such a collective bargaining unit, noneconomic issues applicable to any period on or after July 1, 1993, are subject to interest arbitration after the parties have reached agreement and stipulate to agreement on all economic issues concerning the wages, hours or conditions of employment of the school district professional employes in the unit for that period. In such a collective bargaining unit, if the commission's investigator finds that the municipal employer has submitted a qualified economic offer and that a deadlock exists between the parties with respect to all economic issues, the parties are deemed to have stipulated to the inclusion in a new or revised collective bargaining agreement of all provisions of any predecessor collective bargaining agreement concerning economic issues, or of all provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement concerning economic issues if the parties have reopened negotiations under an existing agreement, as modified by the terms of the qualified economic offer and as otherwise modified by the parties. In such a collective bargaining unit, a municipal employer that unilaterally implements the terms of a stipulation under this subdivision does not violate sub. (3) (a) 4. Any such unilateral implementation after August 11, 1993, operates as a full, final and complete settlement of all economic issues between the parties for the period included within the qualified economic offer. The failure of a labor organization to recognize the validity of such a lawful qualified economic offer does not affect the obligation of the municipal employer to submit economic issues to arbitration under subd. 6.
6. 'Interest arbitration.' a. If in any collective bargaining unit a dispute relating to one or more issues, qualifying for interest arbitration under subd. 5s. in a collective bargaining unit to which subd. 5s. applies, has not been settled after a reasonable period of negotiation and after mediation by the commission under subd. 3. and other settlement procedures, if any, established by the parties have been exhausted, and the parties are deadlocked with respect to any dispute between them over wages, hours and conditions of employment to be included in a new collective bargaining agreement, either party, or the parties jointly, may petition the commission, in writing, to initiate compulsory, final and binding arbitration, as provided in this paragraph. At the time the petition is filed, the petitioning party shall submit in writing to the other party and the commission its preliminary final offer containing its latest proposals on all issues in dispute. Within 14 calendar days after the date of that submission, the other party shall submit in writing its preliminary final offer on all disputed issues to the petitioning party and the commission. If a petition is filed jointly, both parties shall exchange their preliminary final offers in writing and submit copies to the commission at the time the petition is filed.
am. Upon receipt of a petition to initiate arbitration, the commission shall make an investigation, with or without a formal hearing, to determine whether arbitration should be commenced. If in determining whether an impasse exists the commission finds that the procedures set forth in this paragraph have not been complied with and such compliance would tend to result in a settlement, it may order such compliance before ordering arbitration. The validity of any arbitration award or collective bargaining agreement shall not be affected by failure to comply with such procedures. Prior to the close of the investigation each party shall submit in writing to the commission its single final offer containing its final proposals on all issues in dispute that are subject to interest arbitration under this subdivision or under subd. 5s. in collective bargaining units to which subd. 5s. applies. If a party fails to submit a single, ultimate final offer, the commission shall close the investigation based on the last written position of the party. The municipal employer may not submit a qualified economic offer under subd. 5s. after the close of the investigation. Such final offers may include only mandatory subjects of bargaining, except that a permissive subject of bargaining may be included by a party if the other party does not object and shall then be treated as a mandatory subject. No later than such time, the parties shall also submit to the commission a stipulation, in writing, with respect to all matters which are agreed upon for inclusion in the new or amended collective bargaining agreement. The commission, after receiving a report from its investigator and determining that arbitration should be commenced, shall issue an order requiring arbitration and immediately submit to the parties a list of 7 arbitrators. Upon receipt of such list, the parties shall alternately strike names until a single name is left, who shall be appointed as arbitrator. The petitioning party shall notify the commission in writing of the identity of the arbitrator selected. Upon receipt of such notice, the commission shall formally appoint the arbitrator and submit to him or her the final offers of the parties. The final offers shall be considered public documents and shall be available from the commission. In lieu of a single arbitrator and upon request of both parties, the commission shall appoint a tripartite arbitration panel consisting of one member selected by each of the parties and a neutral person designated by the commission who shall serve as a chairperson. An arbitration panel has the same powers and duties as provided in this section for any other appointed arbitrator, and all arbitration decisions by such panel shall be determined by majority vote. In lieu of selection of the arbitrator by the parties and upon request of both parties, the commission shall establish a procedure for randomly selecting names of arbitrators. Under the procedure, the commission shall submit a list of 7 arbitrators to the parties. Each party shall strike one name from the list. From the remaining 5 names, the commission shall randomly appoint an arbitrator. Unless both parties to an arbitration proceeding otherwise agree in writing, every individual whose name is submitted by the commission for appointment as an arbitrator shall be a resident of this state at the time of submission and every individual who is designated as an arbitration panel chairperson shall be a resident of this state at the time of designation.
b. The arbitrator shall, within 10 days of his or her appointment, establish a date and place for the conduct of the arbitration hearing. Upon petition of at least 5 citizens of the jurisdiction served by the municipal employer, filed within 10 days after the date on which the arbitrator is appointed, the arbitrator shall hold a public hearing in the jurisdiction for the purpose of providing the opportunity to both parties to explain or present supporting arguments for their positions and to members of the public to offer their comments and suggestions. The final offers of the parties, as transmitted by the commission to the arbitrator, shall serve as the basis for continued negotiations, if any, between the parties with respect to the issues in dispute. At any time prior to the arbitration hearing, either party, with the consent of the other party, may modify its final offer in writing.
c. Prior to the arbitration hearing, either party may, within a time limit established by the arbitrator, withdraw its final offer and mutually agreed upon modifications thereof, if any, and shall immediately provide written notice of such withdrawal to the other party, the arbitrator and the commission. If both parties withdraw their final offers and mutually agreed upon modifications, the labor organization, after giving 10 days' written advance notice to the municipal employer and the commission, may strike. Unless both parties withdraw their final offers and mutually agreed upon modifications, the final offer of neither party shall be deemed withdrawn and the arbitrator shall proceed to resolve the dispute by final and binding arbitration as provided in this paragraph.
d. Before issuing his or her arbitration decision, the arbitrator shall, on his or her own motion or at the request of either party, conduct a meeting open to the public for the purpose of providing the opportunity to both parties to explain or present supporting arguments for their complete offer on all matters to be covered by the proposed agreement. The arbitrator shall adopt without further modification the final offer of one of the parties on all disputed issues submitted under subd. 6. am., except those items that the commission determines not to be mandatory subjects of bargaining and those items which have not been treated as mandatory subjects by the parties, and including any prior modifications of such offer mutually agreed upon by the parties under subd. 6. b., which decision shall be final and binding on both parties and shall be incorporated into a written collective bargaining agreement. The arbitrator shall serve a copy of his or her decision on both parties and the commission.
e. Arbitration proceedings shall not be interrupted or terminated by reason of any prohibited practice complaint filed by either party at any time.
f. The costs of arbitration shall be divided equally between the parties. The arbitrator shall submit a statement of his or her costs to both parties and to the commission.
g. If a question arises as to whether any proposal made in negotiations by either party is a mandatory, permissive or prohibited subject of bargaining, the commission shall determine the issue pursuant to par. (b). If either party to the dispute petitions the commission for a declaratory ruling under par. (b), the proceedings under subd. 6. c. and d. shall be delayed until the commission renders a decision in the matter, but not during any appeal of the commission order. The arbitrator's award shall be made in accordance with the commission's ruling, subject to automatic amendment by any subsequent court reversal thereof.
7. 'Factors considered.' In making any decision under the arbitration procedures authorized by this paragraph, the arbitrator shall give weight to the following factors:
a. The lawful authority of the municipal employer.
b. Stipulations of the parties.
c. The interests and welfare of the public and the financial ability of the unit of government to meet the costs of any proposed settlement.
d. Comparison of wages, hours and conditions of employment of the municipal employes involved in the arbitration proceedings with the wages, hours and conditions of employment of other employes performing similar services.
e. Comparison of the wages, hours and conditions of employment of the municipal employes involved in the arbitration proceedings with the wages, hours and conditions of employment of other employes generally in public employment in the same community and in comparable communities.
f. Comparison of the wages, hours and conditions of employment of the municipal employes involved in the arbitration proceedings with the wages, hours and conditions of employment of other employes in private employment in the same community and in comparable communities.
g. The average consumer prices for goods and services, commonly known as the cost of living.
h. The overall compensation presently received by the municipal employes, including direct wage compensation, vacation, holidays and excused time, insurance and pensions, medical and hospitalization benefits, the continuity and stability of employment, and all other benefits received.
hm. Any state law or directive lawfully issued by a state legislative or administrative officer, body or agency which places limitations on expenditures that may be made or revenues that may be collected by a municipal employer.
i. Changes in any of the foregoing circumstances during the pendency of the arbitration proceedings.
j. Such other factors, not confined to the foregoing, which are normally or traditionally taken into consideration in the determination of wages, hours and conditions of employment through voluntary collective bargaining, mediation, fact-finding, arbitration or otherwise between the parties, in the public service or in private employment.
8. 'Rule making.' The commission shall adopt rules for the conduct of all arbitration proceedings under subd. 6., including, but not limited to, rules for:
a. The appointment of tripartite arbitration panels when requested by the parties.
