For a dispute involving a bargaining unit eligible for interest arbitration under RCW 41.56.030(14), 41.56.492, or 41.56.496 and within seven days following the issuance of a certification of issues for interest arbitration under WAC 391-55-200, each party shall name one person who is available and willing to serve as its member of the arbitration panel and shall notify the opposite party and the executive director of the name, email address, mailing address, and telephone number of the partisan arbitrator. The partisan arbitrators shall meet within seven days following the appointment of the later-appointed member to attempt to choose a third member to act as the neutral chairperson of the arbitration panel.

(1) The use of partisan arbitrators is deemed waived if neither party has notified the executive director of its appointee within 14 days following the issuance of a certification of issues for interest arbitration, and the parties' representatives shall then select the neutral chairperson.

(2) A party that has designated a partisan arbitrator may substitute another person as its partisan arbitrator, upon notice to the other party and the executive director.

(3) By mutual agreement, the parties may waive the provisions in this rule and the appointment of partisan arbitrators.