Under the Tribe’s Labor Law, when a labor organization is certified by the MERO to serve as the exclusive collective bargaining representative of a certain group of Tribal employees, the Tribal employer and the labor organization are required to negotiate in good faith in an effort to resolve all aspects of an agreement. The agreement, called a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), determines many of the terms and conditions of employment of the employees within the bargaining unit for the duration of the CBA. 

If the labor organization or the Tribal employer believes that agreement on certain issues cannot be reached after making their best efforts, the party may request that the matter be resolved by a third party. If the parties agree that they have reached impasse, they may choose to file a petition jointly. Specifically, the law provides, in part:

           Impasse.  If the parties to negotiations do not reach an agreement within one hundred fifty (150) days after negotiations have begun, then either party may file a petition with the MERO.

            32 M.P.T.L. § 10(c)

Processing an Impasse Resolution Petition
To initiate an impasse resolution petition, a completed MERO Form 32-3010, Petition for Impasse Resolution, is filed with the documentation requested on the form. Until such time as it may be modified by a MERO Board or Special Master, Form 32-3220, Standing Schedule for Impasse Resolution, controls the proceedings. Please see MERO Labor Law Case Processing and the MERO Impasse Resolution Procedures Manual for additional information about the processing of an impasse resolution petition.

Important Notice:

Some cases are required to be filed within certain specific time periods. Please review carefully the specifics of the law and case filing procedures that may be found on this website or contact the MERO for additional information.