Separate from any prehearing conference concerning procedural matters held by the examiner under WAC 10-08-130, a settlement conference concerning substantive issues may be held under WAC 10-08-200(15).

(1) A separate case number shall be assigned, and all files and papers for the settlement conference shall be kept separate from the files and papers for the nonassociation proceeding.

(2) A commission staff member other than the assigned examiner shall be assigned to mediate between the parties on the substantive issues.

(3) Any settlement conference shall be held in advance of the scheduled hearing date on the underlying nonassociation proceedings.

(4) During a settlement conference, the parties will be encouraged, on factual and legal grounds including precedent on the particular subject, to resolve the nonassociation dispute. Participation in a settlement conference is voluntary and refusal by a party to participate in a settlement shall not prejudice that party in any manner. Conversations had and offers made in a settlement mediation shall not be admissible in evidence at a hearing.