It is declared to be the public policy of this State and it is the purpose of this chapter to promote the improvement of the relationship between the State and its employees and between the Legislature and its employees by providing a uniform basis for recognizing the right of state or legislative employees to join labor organizations of their own choosing and to be represented by such organizations in collective bargaining for terms and conditions of employment. [PL 1997, c. 741, §1 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 741, §12 (AFF).]