If any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in any manner conflict with, or contravene any federal or state law, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, such provisions shall be considered null and void and shall not be binding on the parties hereto; in such event, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and the Employer agrees to reopen negotiations on said issue(s). The provisions of this Article notwithstanding, the parties may, by mutual agreement, upon the request of one or both parties, reopen negotiations on the provisions of this Agreement prior to the expiration date as provided in Article 34.