§ 5-5. Impasse.

(a) Attempt to mediate.

If after a reasonable period of negotiation over the terms of an agreement, a dispute exists between the employer and the certified employee organization or organizations with whom it is negotiating, or if no understanding has been reached within a reasonable period of time, but not later than March 1, prior to the final date for setting the municipal budget, it shall be deemed that an impasse has been reached, at which time the Mayor shall request that an Impasse Panel be selected pursuant to § 5-6 hereof and that the Chairman of the Impasse Panel enter the negotiations for the purpose of mediating the impasse.

(b) Referral for fact-finding and recommendation.

If the said Chairman is unable to mediate the impasse, the matter shall be referred to the entire Impasse Panel for fact-finding and recommendation.

(c) Exception.

No impasse shall be deemed to have occurred where the employee organization or organizations which represent the greater number of employees covered by the negotiations have accepted the employer's proposal.