Section 1101.603 - Election request; petition(a) A public employe, a group of public employes or an employe organization may notify the public employer that thirty per cent or more of the public employes in an appropriate unit desire to be exclusively represented for collective bargaining purposes by a designated representative and request the public employer to consent to an election.(b) If the public employer consents, the public employe, group of public employes or employe organization whichever applicable may submit in a form and manner established by the board an election request. Such request shall include a description of the unit deemed to be appropriate, the basis upon which it was determined that thirty per cent or more of the employes desired to be represented and a joinder by the public employer. The board may on the basis of the submissions order an election to be held or it may at its discretion investigate or conduct hearings to determine the validity of the matters contained in such submissions before determining whether or not an order should issue.(c) If a public employer refuses to consent to an election, the party making the request may file a petition with the board alleging that thirty per cent or more of the public employes in an appropriate unit wish to be exclusively represented for collective bargaining purposes by a designated representative. The board shall send a copy of the petition to the public employer and provide for an appropriate hearing upon due notice. If it deems the allegations in the petition to be valid and the unit to be appropriate it shall order an election. If it finds to the contrary it may dismiss the petition or permit its amendment in accordance with procedures established by the board.(d) If a public employer receives notification that thirty per cent or more of the public employes desire to be exclusively represented for collective bargaining purposes by a designated representative and the party giving notice does not thereafter seek an election the public employer may file a petition for the same with the board. The board shall then follow the procedures as established for petitions filed under subsection (c) of this section.1970, July 23, P.L. 563, No. 195, art. VI, § 603, effective in 90 days.