If the conciliation results in settlement, the chair may assist the parties to draft a stipulation of settlement and dismissal. If the conciliation fails to achieve settlement, the arbitration hearing can proceed because the chair has no idea of what proposals for conciliation were made or rejected or why. If the arbitration panel is not from the BAC, there may be less emphasis on attempting to conciliate a settlement. The interest arbitration process begins with the convening of the formal evidentiary hearing. The chair presides with consultation by the partisan members.
Evidence is produced through direct and cross examinations, documents, or other physical evidence.
The panel receives oral argument or written submissions, meets to deliberate the merits, and the chair drafts the opinion of the panel. Any member wishing to do so may submit an opinion dissenting in whole or in part. Normally, the decision is issued withing 30 days of the close of argument. The decision of the arbitrators is advisory only on financial matters, that is, controversies over salaries, pensions and insurance. If the parties are unable to agree on these issues within 10 days of the arbitrators' findings and recommendations, either party may make the arbitrators' recommendations public.