If in any case of a labor dispute between a public utility employer and its employees the collective bargaining process reaches an impasse and stalemate, with the result that the employer and the employees are unable to effect a settlement thereof, then either party to the dispute may petition the governor to appoint a conciliator from the panel of conciliators provided for by section 4 of this chapter. Upon the filing of such petition, the governor shall consider the same, and if in his opinion the collective bargaining process, notwithstanding good faith efforts on the part of both sides to such dispute, has reached an impasse and stalemate and such dispute if not settled will cause or is likely to cause the interruption of the supply of a service on which the community so affected is so dependent that severe hardship would be inflicted on a substantial number of persons by a cessation of such service, the governor shall appoint a conciliator from the conciliators panel to attempt to effect the settlement of such dispute. Such conciliator shall be allowed reasonable compensation for his services and for his necessary expenses in an amount to be fixed by the governor, such compensation and expenses to be paid out of the general fund of the state of Indiana; and there is hereby appropriated out of the general fund sufficient moneys to meet such payments.
IC 22-6-2-5