§ 4-5-201. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.

(a)

Purposes.

(1)

The purpose of this act is to promote the improvement of employer-employee relations within the various agencies of the county government by providing a uniform basis for recognizing the right of employees of the classified service of the county to:

(i)

Join employee organizations of their own choice or refrain from joining an employee organization; and

(ii)

Be represented by the employee organizations in their employment relations and dealings with the county administration.

(2)

It is also the purpose of this act to establish procedures by which the county administration or its designated representatives may negotiate in good faith with an exclusive representative with affirmative willingness to resolve grievances and disputes relating to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment, as defined in this act, and to finalize in writing a memorandum of understanding of matters agreed on, acting within the framework of fiscal procedures, laws, rules, and regulations, and Charter provisions of the county and the constitution and laws of the state.

(b)

Mutual objective.

(1)

It is the mutual objective of the county and the employee organizations to bring about a higher level of public service and improved efficiency in the operation of the county government as an outgrowth of this collective bargaining law.

(2)

The county administration, the County Council, and representatives of employee organizations have pledged themselves to work together to accomplish this objective.

(c)

Statement regarding proliferation or fragmentation of representation units. The county administration recognizes that the public interest and the interest of the county are not served by excessive proliferation or fragmentation of representation units.

(1988 Code, § 25-51) (Bill No. 66-99, § 2, 7-1-2004)