§381-3  Notice of impasse required; effect of collective bargaining agreements.  When an impasse is reached in any dispute between a public utility employer and its employees, either party to the dispute claiming the existence of an impasse shall notify the director of labor and industrial relations in writing of the existence of the impasse.  The notice shall contain a clear and concise statement of each issue on which an impasse has been reached, and a certificate as to the good faith of the notice and the statements contained therein, which certification shall be made by the representatives actively engaged in the conduct of negotiations for the party filing the notice.  A copy of the notice shall be delivered to the other party to the dispute simultaneously with delivery of notice to the director.

     This section shall not apply in any case where there exists a collective bargaining agreement between a public utility employer and its employees, except where:

     (1)  A dispute arises under the agreement concerning the interpretation or application of the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, and the agreement contains no procedure for the settlement of the dispute; or

     (2)  In accordance with the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the parties undertake negotiations for a new agreement or an amendment of the existing agreement pursuant to specific designation in the agreement of a certain time or period for such negotiations, and no agreement has been reached at the expiration of the time or period, and the agreement does not prohibit strikes or lockouts following such negotiation and failure to arrive at agreement. [L 1949, c 146, pt of §1; RL 1955, §91-4; HRS §381-3]