Section 653. Powers and duties

The director shall assist the governor with
  regard to relations between the state and its employees. Such assistance
  may include acting as the governor's agent in discharging the powers and
  duties   conferred  on  the  governor  by  the  public  employees'  fair
  employment act, as amended, including,  without  limitation,  conducting
  collective   negotiations   with   recognized   or   certified  employee
  organizations and executing agreements  reached  pursuant  thereto.  The
  director shall have such other and further powers and duties as may from
  time  to  time be conferred upon him by law and as the governor may from
  time to time request. Nothing contained herein shall be  interpreted  to
  enlarge,  diminish or otherwise change any power or duty of the governor
  or legislature under said act or otherwise.