A. The arbitrators shall conduct the hearings and render their decision upon the basis of a prompt, peaceful and just settlement of all submitted disputes between the full-time firefighters in a Rural Fire Protection District and the corporate authorities. The factors, among others, to be given weight by the arbitrators in arriving at a decision shall include:

1. Comparison of wage rates, insurance, retirement, other fringe benefits or hourly conditions of employment of the rural fire district in question with prevailing wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of skilled employees of the building trades and industry in the local operating area involved;

2. Comparison of wage rates, insurance, retirement, other fringe benefits or hourly conditions of employment of the rural fire district in question with wage rates or hourly conditions of employment maintained for the same or similar work of employees exhibiting like or similar skills under the same or similar working conditions in the local operating area involved;

3. Comparison of wage rates, insurance, retirement, other fringe benefits or hourly conditions of employment of the rural fire district in question with wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of fire departments in other political subdivisions of comparable size and economic status both within and without the State of Oklahoma;

4. Interest and welfare of the public and revenues available to the Rural Fire Protection District; or

5. Comparison of peculiarities of employment in regard to other trades or professions, including specifically:

a.hazards of employment,

b.physical qualifications,

c.educational qualifications,

d.mental qualifications, and

e.job training and skills.

B. Fees and necessary expenses of the arbitrator selected by the bargaining agent and the arbitrator selected by the corporate authorities shall be borne by the bargaining agent and the corporate authorities respectively. The reasonable fees and necessary expenses of the third arbitrator shall be borne equally by the bargaining agent and corporate authorities.

Added by Laws 2003, c. 136, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 2003.