17. In the event of the death, absence, or inability to act of an arbitrator, the other arbitrators shall see the matter through and their decision shall be valid.
Where the council of arbitration consists of a single arbitrator or where 2 of the arbitrators are in a situation referred to in the first paragraph, the secretary of the committee shall replace the arbitrator or arbitrators as provided for under section 15, and, if necessary, the dispute shall be reheard.