§ 650. Statement of policy. The legislature hereby reaffirms its
policy to promote harmonious and cooperative relationships between the
state and its employees to protect the public by assuring, at all times,
the orderly and uninterrupted operations and functions of state
government; and recognizes that furtherance of such policy requires
creation in the executive department of an office of employee relations
with staff and skills requisite to act as the governor's agent in
conducting collective negotiations, to assure the proper implementation
and administration of agreements reached pursuant to such negotiations,
and to assist the governor and direct and coordinate the state's efforts
with regard to the state's powers and duties under the public employees'
fair employment act.