254.01   PURPOSE; INTERPRETATION.
   (a)   It is the purpose of this chapter to promote full communication between the City and its employees regarding wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment. It is also the purpose of this chapter to promote the improvement of personnel management and employer-employee relations within the City by providing a uniform basis for recognizing the right of employees of the City to join organizations of their own choice and be represented by such organizations in their employment relationships with the City.
   (b)   Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to supersede the provisions of existing State law or ordinances or rules of the City that regulate the civil service system. This chapter is intended, instead, to strengthen the City civil service system through the establishment of uniform and orderly methods of communication between employees and the City.
   (c)   Nothing in dais chapter shall be interpreted as precluding or discouraging the discussion of any and all matters of mutual interest at the appropriate level, to the end that there be full understanding and cooperation among the parties and that problems be resolved expeditiously.
   (d)   Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted as precluding or discouraging the City from requesting assistance or advice, whether from outside experts or otherwise, in situations deemed appropriate by the Mayor and/or Council.
   (e)   Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to deny any person, organization, employee or employer any rights granted by Federal, State or local law.
   (f)   Subject to the limitations pertaining to supervisory employees and representation units contained in Section 254.08(e), nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit two or more employee organizations from acting jointly, as a single organization, to register, to petition for a representation unit or to petition for certification as a recognized employee organization, and if certified, to represent the employees within the representation unit.
   (g)   It is recognized that the provisions of this chapter may require amendments from time to time.
   (h)   Council, after full determination of the facts, may take any reasonable action to guarantee the rights, obligations and intent of the parties governed by this chapter.
(Ord. 71-44. Passed 7-20-71. )