(a) A charge of “refusal to bargain” or a charge that, if sustained, would require the setting aside of an election or the conduct of a new election shall be given priority.

(b) The parties, individually or jointly, may petition the panel at any time to invoke immediately the formal hearing procedures set forth in §269b.410. They may also petition the panel to entertain the matter itself without prior investigation and/or without the formal hearing procedure set forth in §269b.410. The panel is empowered also on its own motion to so accelerate disposition of the case.

(c) Before accelerating a case the panel may utilize whatever proceedings it may deem appropriate and timely to allow parties in interest to comment on the proposed course of action.