Section 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.