49 (1) Despite the arbitration provision in a collective agreement or deemed to be included in a collective agreement under section 48, a party to a collective agreement may request the Minister to refer to a single arbitrator, to be appointed by the Minister, any difference between the parties to the collective agreement arising from the interpretation, application, administration or alleged violation of the agreement, including any question as to whether a matter is arbitrable. Request for references (2) Subject to subsection (3), a request under subsection (1) may be made by a party to the collective agreement in writing after the grievance procedure under the agreement has been exhausted or after 30 days have elapsed from the time at which the grievance was first brought to the attention of the other party, whichever first occurs, but no such request shall be made beyond the time, if any, stipulated in or permitted under the agreement for referring the grievance to arbitration. Same (3) Despite subsection (2), where a difference between the parties to a collective agreement is a difference respecting discharge from or other termination of employment, a request under subsection (1) may be made by a party to the collective agreement in writing after the grievance procedure under the agreement has been exhausted or after 14 days have elapsed from the time at which the grievance was first brought to the attention of the other party, whichever first occurs, but no such request shall be made beyond the time, if any, stipulated in or permitted under the agreement for referring the grievance to arbitration. Minister to appoint arbitrator (4) Where a request is received under subsection (1), the Minister shall appoint a single arbitrator who shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter referred to him or her, including any question as to whether a matter is arbitrable and any question as to whether the request was timely. Same (5) Where a request or more than one request concerns several differences arising under the collective agreement, the Minister may in his or her discretion appoint an arbitrator under subsection (4) to deal with all the differences raised in the request or requests. Settlement officer (6) The Minister may appoint a settlement officer to confer with the parties and endeavour to effect a settlement prior to the hearing by an arbitrator appointed under subsection (4). Powers and duties of arbitrator (7) An arbitrator appointed under subsection (4) shall commence to hear the matter referred to him or her within 21 days after the receipt of the request by the Minister and the provisions of subsections 48 (7) and (9) to (20) apply with all necessary modifications to the arbitrator, the parties and the decision of the arbitrator. Oral decisions (8) Upon the agreement of the parties, the arbitrator shall deliver an oral decision forthwith or as soon as practicable without giving his or her reasons in writing therefor. Payment of arbitrator (9) Where the Minister has appointed an arbitrator under subsection (4), each of the parties shall pay one-half of the remuneration and expenses of the person appointed. Approval of arbitrators, etc. (10) The Minister may establish a list of approved arbitrators and, for the purpose of advising him or her with respect to persons qualified to act as arbitrators and matters relating to arbitration, the Minister may constitute a labour-management advisory committee composed of a chair to be designated by the Minister and six members, three of whom shall represent employers and three of whom shall represent trade unions, and their remuneration and expenses shall be as the Lieutenant Governor in Council determines.  1995, c. 1, Sched. A, s. 49.