In cases of controversy, where conciliation, mediation or arbitration is refused by one of the parties or the board has deemed that those processes have been or will be ineffective, either party may request the board to make inquiry. The application for inquiry may be signed by the employer or by a substantial number of the employees in the department, section or division of the business in which the controversy exists or by their agent or representative or by both parties and, if signed by an agent or representative claiming to represent the employees, the board shall satisfy itself that he is duly authorized to do so. [PL 1985, c. 294, §§2, 3 (NEW).]

Upon receipt of the application for inquiry, the chairman, or in his absence or disability the alternate chairman, through the auspices of the Maine Labor Relations Board, shall give notice of the time and place of hearing and may, at the board’s discretion, give public notice by publishing in at least one newspaper the time and place of the hearing. [PL 1985, c. 294, §§2, 3 (NEW).]

The board shall, upon the request of the Governor or the mayor of a city or the select board of a town, investigate and report upon any labor controversy if, in its opinion, it threatens the public welfare. [PL 2021, c. 275, §11 (AMD).]

The board, after inquiry, may make and publish a report in the matter, including its findings of fact and recommendations for settling the controversy. [PL 1985, c. 294, §§2, 3 (NEW).]