Section 290.714 - Mediation of issues; duties of board; designation of person to act in board's behalf, fee. - Michigan Statutes

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING AND BARGAINING ACT (EXCERPT)
Act 344 of 1972

290.714 Mediation of issues; duties of board; designation of person to act in board's behalf, fee.

Sec. 14.

(1) Upon the request of an accredited association or upon the request of a handler, the board shall provide for the mediation of the issues in dispute. The board shall take such steps as it deems expedient to effect a voluntary, amicable and expeditious adjustment and settlement of the differences and issues between the association and the handler which could disrupt the normal sale and purchase of the agricultural commodity between producers and the handler. The board shall:

(a) Arrange for, hold, adjourn or reconvene a conference or conferences between disputants and 1 or more of their representatives.

(b) Invite the disputants and their representatives to attend the conference and submit, orally or in writing, the differences between the disputants.

(c) Discuss the differences with the disputants or their representatives.

(d) Assist in negotiating and drafting agreements for the adjustment and settlement of differences.

(2) In implementing its duties under this section, the board may designate 1 of its members or retain a competent individual to act in its behalf and may delegate to the designee its duties, and for such purpose, the designee shall have all of the powers conferred upon the board in connection with the discharge of the duties so delegated. If the board seeks to retain an individual to mediate a dispute, it shall attempt to retain an individual who has experience in mediation and in agricultural marketing.

(3) Where an individual is retained, the board shall establish his fee in advance.

History: 1972, Act 344, Eff. Mar. 30, 1973