[HISTORY: Adopted by the Rockland County Legislature 5-1-1979 by L.L. No. 3-1979. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Labor relations — See Ch. 5, § 5-94.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a Department of Labor Relations, headed by a Commissioner of Labor Relations, whose main purpose would be to develop a closer working relationship between labor and management in Rockland County. Said Commissioner would consult with and give guidance to the Legislature of Rockland County and its agencies and boards on matters of interest to the labor force of Rockland County. Said Commissioner would be aided by an Advisory Board appointed by the Legislature of Rockland County. The Department and the Advisory Board would be involved in forming a permanent relationship between labor, management, industry and government in Rockland County. The Commissioner would offer unpaid mediation services when requested by both labor and management.
A. 
There shall be a Department of Labor Relations in the County of Rockland. The head of the Department of Labor Relations shall be a Commissioner of Labor Relations, who shall receive compensation of $15,000 per year. The Commissioner of Labor Relations shall be appointed by the Legislature of Rockland County and shall have a term of four years. He shall report directly to the Chairman of the Rockland County Legislature. The Commissioner of Labor Relations shall be a resident of Rockland County and have experience either as a labor leader or in labor/management relations.
[Amended 12-19-1989 by L.L. No. 1-1990; 1-16-1990 by L.L. No. 3-1990]
B. 
Advisory Board.
(1) 
The Legislature of Rockland County shall appoint a Labor Advisory Board, to consist of the following:
(a) 
The Commissioner of Labor.
(b) 
Two representatives of labor.
(c) 
Two representatives of industry.
(d) 
Two representatives of government.
(e) 
Two representatives of banking.
(2) 
Said Advisory Board shall serve at the pleasure of the Legislature, except for the Commissioner of Labor, whose term is designated herein.
The Department of Labor Relations shall be staffed with secretarial and clerical help by utilizing existing staff and/or CETA personnel to the extent permitted by federal regulations. The Chairman of the Legislature of Rockland County shall determine the members of said staff within the guidelines set forth herein. The Department of Labor Relations shall be given available County office space as shall be determined by the Chairman of the Legislature of Rockland County.
In addition to such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the County Legislature, the Department of Labor Relations shall:
A. 
Collect and compile such statistical information and other data with regard to labor, generally, within the County of Rockland and shall provide an official and central source of accurate and timely labor information.
B. 
Make available to the public such statistical information and data upon request, at such fees as shall be set by the Legislature of Rockland County.
C. 
Hold such conferences and meetings with labor, industrial and commercial groups or enterprises in order to further the general welfare of labor and in the interest of all residents of the County of Rockland.
D. 
Make the Commissioner available in the public and private sector as an unpaid mediator so as to provide mediation services when requested by both labor and management in any labor dispute or employee grievance, subject to collective bargaining agreements and the Civil Service Law of the State of New York.
E. 
Advise the Legislature of Rockland County and its committees prior to the awarding of any and all County public works bids as to the responsibility of the lowest bidder.
F. 
Give advice and guidance to the Consumer Protection Agency[1] and to the Plumbing and Electrical Boards of the County of Rockland, when requested by those agencies.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Consumer Protection Agency is now the Office of Consumer Protection. See Ch. 35 of the Code.
G. 
Make such reports with regard to the functions of the Department as shall be required from time to time by the Chairman of the Legislature of Rockland County. Copies of all such reports shall be transmitted by the Commissioner of Labor simultaneously to both the Legislature of Rockland County and the Chairman.