The Office of Employee Relations was created by the Laws of 1969 (Chapter 491). The office is headed by a director appointed by the governor. Its basic functions have remained unchanged since 1969, but it has assumed additional responsibilities such as providing partial funding (along with public employee unions) of employee training and development, health benefits, safety and health, and day-care programs. Since the 1979 collective bargaining agreements with the unions representing State employees, joint labor-management committees have played an increasing role in the State's labor relations, with GOER generally representing management on these committees.
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The Governor's Office of Employee Relations (GOER) assists State agencies in dealing with labor issues and administers health and safety programs developed through collective bargaining agreements. GOER carries out the State's labor relations responsibilities as an employer in accordance with the Public Employees' Fair Employment Act (the Taylor Law) and other related statutes by negotiating collective bargaining agreements with recognized representatives of State public employees; assisting State agencies to interpret and administer negotiated agreements; helping to define the State's role as a public employer in matters before the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) and through the continuing contract arbitration process; supporting the appellate function of the Grievance Appeals Board in the review of noncontract-related grievances; and directly overseeing training programs and certain benefit areas for management/confidential (M/C) employees.
