§89A-1 Office of collective bargaining in the state government established. There shall be established an office of collective bargaining in the office of the governor to assist the governor in negotiating with and entering into written agreements between the public employers and the exclusive representatives on matters of wages, hours, and other negotiable terms and conditions of employment.

The position of chief negotiator for the State is hereby established to head the office. The chief negotiator shall be experienced in labor relations. The governor shall appoint and remove the chief negotiator and the deputy negotiators, who shall not be subject to chapters 76, 77, and 89. Effective January 1, 1989, and January 1, 1990, the salary of the chief negotiator shall be set by the governor within the range from $69,748 to $74,608 and $72,886 to $77,966 a year, respectively. The chief negotiator and deputy negotiators shall be included in any benefit program generally applicable to the officers and employees of the State. All other employees shall be appointed in accordance with chapters 76 and 77. The chief negotiator shall serve as one of the governor's designated representatives as set forth in section 89-6(b). [L 1975, c 165, §2; am L 1977, c 191, §4; am L 1982, c 129, §4; am L 1985, c 29, §1; am L 1986, c 128, §4; am L 1989, c 329, §3]