It is the declared policy of the State and the purpose of this chapter to promote harmonious and cooperative relationships between public employers and their employees, employed as police officers and firefighters, and to protect the public by assuring the orderly and uninterrupted operations and functions of public safety services. These policies are best effectuated by:

(1) Granting to police officers and firefighters the right of organization and representation;

(2) Obligating public employers and organizations of police officers and firefighters which have been certified as representing their employees to enter into collective bargaining negotiations with the willingness to resolve disputes relating to terms and conditions of employment and to reduce to writing any agreements reached through such negotiations; and

(3) Empowering the Public Employment Relations Board to assist in resolving disputes between police officers or firefighters and their public employers and to administer this chapter.

65 Del. Laws, c. 477, § ?1;

Terms Used In Delaware Code Title 19 Sec. 1601

  • Board: means the Public Employment Relations Board established by § 4006 of Title 14 and made applicable to this chapter by § 1306 of this title. See Delaware Code Title 19 Sec. 1602
  • Collective bargaining: means the performance of the mutual obligation of a public employer through its designated representatives and the exclusive bargaining representative to confer and negotiate in good faith with respect to terms and conditions of employment, and to execute a written contract incorporating any agreements reached. See Delaware Code Title 19 Sec. 1602
  • employees: shall include each and every person employed by the public employer except:

    A. See Delaware Code Title 19 Sec. 1602

  • State: means the State of Delaware; and when applied to different parts of the United States, it includes the District of Columbia and the several territories and possessions of the United States. See Delaware Code Title 1 Sec. 302
  • Terms and conditions of employment: means matters concerning or related to wages, salaries, hours, grievance procedures and working conditions; provided, however, that such term shall not include those matters determined by this chapter or any other law of the State to be within the exclusive prerogative of the public employer. See Delaware Code Title 19 Sec. 1602