(1) If more than one grievance affects more than one employee in the same manner, the grievances may be consolidated at any step of the grievance process. Appeals may be consolidated by board order upon a showing of good cause by any party.

(a) A consolidation may be altered or amended at any time before the final order of the board.

(b) If an employee or the employee's authorized representative opposes altering or amending the consolidation, the employee may request a hearing to be held before the final order of the board is issued.

(2) If the appeals are consolidated, the timelines in this rule will run from the dates associated with the latest appeal included in the consolidation.

(3) An employee who is not represented by a labor organization may opt out of consolidation of the appeal unless the appeals are consolidated by board order.

(4) An employee who is represented by a labor organization may not contradict the labor organization's representative on the issue of consolidating appeals.