1451

The public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico regarding the right to organize into unions and to bargain collectively in the public service, is that which is stated below:\nThe organization of public sector employees into unions, and collective bargaining, shall be guided by criteria of productivity and the improvement of services to the people at the [lowest] possible cost.\nThe organization of public sector employees in unions, and collective bargaining, shall be conducted in consonance with the merit principle stated in this chapter.\nThe organization of public sector employees in unions, and collective bargaining shall be compatible with the responsibility of the agencies to serve the people which can not be delegated, and the power that this chapter grants to public employees, in the determination of wages, fringe benefits and terms and conditions of employment.\nThe organization of public sector employees in unions, and collective bargaining, shall be based on the obligation to maintain the essential services to the people of Puerto Rico without interruption and the attainment of the general welfare of the citizenry.\nThe organization of public sector employees in

gation to maintain the essential services to the people of Puerto Rico without interruption and the attainment of the general welfare of the citizenry.\nThe organization of public sector employees in unions, and collective bargaining, shall encourage and promote the solution of disputes through mediation of complaints and arbitration mechanisms.\nHistory —Feb. 25, 1998, No. 45, §§ 2.1—2.5.