(A) The salary structures applicable to blue-collar positions shall be comprised of fifteen salary grades.

(B) Pay schedules for nonsupervisory blue-collar positions, hereafter to be referred to as the wage board schedules, shall be established as provided under subparagraph (D).

(C) Pay schedules for supervisory blue-collar positions, hereafter to be referred to as wage board supervisory schedules, shall be established as provided under subparagraph (D) for each of the following levels:

(D) The pay schedules applicable to employees in blue-collar positions, who are included in collective bargaining units under section 89-6(a), shall be subject to negotiations. The pay schedules applicable to employees in blue-collar positions, who are excluded from coverage under chapter 89, shall be subject to chapter 89C.

(A) The conference of personnel directors shall compile and recommend to the public employees compensation appeals board a tentative compensation plan based upon such factors as the kind and subject matter of work, level of difficulty and responsibility, and qualification requirements for classes deemed covered by this section by October 15 of every odd-numbered year.

Full opportunity for consultation with the persons and organizations including employee organizations shall be afforded.

(B) The appeals board referred to in section 77-4 shall provide for the publication of the tentative compensation plan. All petitions for appeal against the compensation plan, including the pricing of classes or whether the class should be included or excluded from the blue-collar plan, shall be filed with the appeals board within twenty days from the date of publication of the tentative plan.

The board shall meet biennially to hear appeals from affected persons and parties concerning the tentative compensation plan and may hold public hearings as well. At least one appeal hearing shall be held in each jurisdiction.

Final adjustment by the board to the compensation plan shall be in accordance with its established policies and standards relative to compensation. The board shall complete its final adjustments by the third Wednesday in January of every even-numbered year.

Following the final adjustment, the conference of personnel directors shall submit to the state legislature, through the office of the governor, a report setting forth the final compensation plan and the cost thereof for its information and approval. The effective date of the approved plans shall be July 1 of every even-numbered year.