A. This chapter implements Chapter 10, Division 4, Title 1 of the Government Code of the state (Sections 3500 et seq.) captioned “Local Public Employee Organizations,” by providing orderly procedures for the administration of employer-employee relations between the town and its employee organizations. However, nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed to supersede the provisions of state law, town ordinances, resolutions and rules which establish and regulate the merit and civil service system, or which provide for other methods of administering employer-employee relations. This chapter is intended, instead, to strengthen merit, civil service and other methods of administering employer-employee relations through the establishment of uniform and orderly methods of communications between employees, employee organizations and the town.

B. It is the purpose of this chapter to provide procedures for meeting and conferring in good faith with recognized employee organizations regarding matters that directly affect and primarily involve the wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment of employees in appropriate units and that are not preempted by federal or state law, however, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to restrict any legal or inherent exclusive town rights with respect to matters of general legislative or managerial policy, which include among others: the exclusive right to determine the mission of its constituent departments, commissions and boards; set standards of service; determine the procedures and standards of selection for employment; direct its employees; take disciplinary action; relieve its employees from duty because of lack of work or for other legitimate reasons; maintain the efficiency of governmental operations; determine the methods, means and personnel by which government operations are to be conducted; take all necessary actions to carry out its mission in emergencies; and exercise complete control and discretion over its organization and the technology of performing its work. (Ord. 377 § 1, 1980)