(a) No local agency shall adopt or continue in effect an ordinance or policy which prohibits consideration of comparability of the value of the work as one of the factors which may be used during the collective-bargaining process to negotiate salaries. Existing memoranda of understanding, presently in effect, would continue to control until they expire. Thereafter, there shall be negotiations in accordance with this article.

(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Comparability of the value of the work” means the value of the work performed by an employee, or group of employees within a class or salary range, in relation to the value of the work of another employee, or group of employees, to any class or salary range maintained by a local agency, and shall be measured by the composite of the skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions normally required in the performance of the work with other classes of employees.

(2) “Skill” means the skill required in the performance of the work, including any type of intellectual or physical skill acquired by the employee through experience, training, education, or natural ability.

(3) “Effort” means the effort required in the performance of the work, including any intellectual or physical effort.

(4) “Responsibility” means the responsibility required in the performance of the work, including the extent to which the employer relies on the employee to perform the work, the importance of the duties, and the accountability of the employee for the work of others and for resources.

(5) “Working conditions” means the conditions under which the work of an employee is performed, including physical or psychological factors.

(Added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 906, Sec. 1.)