Appointment of Mediator

(1) Appointment. Upon receipt of the Petition for Grievance Mediation, the Department shall promptly ascertain whether the parties agree to grievance mediation. If the parties agree, the Department shall appoint a staff mediator. Alternatively, should the parties request an outside mediator, the Department shall assist them by providing a list from its panel of qualified individuals. (2) Fees. The filing fee for a Petition for Grievance Mediation is the amount established by 801 CMR 4.02: Fees of Licenses, Permits, and Services to Be Charged by State Agencies. The cost of the filing fee shall be equally divided between the parties. The cost of an outside mediator shall be equally divided between the parties, unless they agree otherwise.