In this division, unless the context otherwise requires:

Agreement means a written document reflecting the agreement between the parties addressing annual salaries and fringe benefits of employees in the appropriate group, agreed upon and approved by the City Manager and the authorized employee association.

Authorized employee association means the employee association, recognized pursuant to Section 2-226 to represent an appropriate group in meeting and discussing salaries and fringe benefits with the employer.

Employee association means an employee organized association, fraternal order, or group which represents or seeks to represent an appropriate group of professional and/or supervisory employees of the employer in meeting and discussing salaries and fringe benefits with the employer.

Employer means the City of Phoenix, a municipal corporation, and its duly authorized officers and agents acting in behalf of the City of Phoenix.

Excluded employee means employees of the City Manager’s Office; Offices of the Mayor and City Council; all department heads and assistant department heads; all executives and middle managers; employees in personnel and Assistant City Attorney classifications; all employees in the Human Resources Department; all employees in the Budget and Research Department; all employees in the Communications Office and all persons meeting the definition of a public employee under Division 1, Section 2-210 of this article, and temporary and part-time employees.

Mediator means the person selected by the parties from either the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service or the American Arbitration Association to hear and attempt to resolve disputes.

Meeting and discussing means the process for the public employer and designees of the authorized employee association to meet and discuss at reasonable times salaries and fringe benefits for the purpose of developing an agreement without compelling either party to make a concession to reach an agreement.

Parties means representatives or designees of the authorized employee association and representatives of the employer.

Public employee means any person employed by the employer on a full-time basis as a professional or supervisor in a regular position excepting those defined as excluded employees. Public employee specifically includes police officers of the rank of sergeant and lieutenant.

Representatives of the employer means the City Manager or his designated representatives. (Ord. No. G-1536, § 1; Ord. No. G-1592, § 1; Ord. No. G-1939, § 1; Ord. No. G-4854, § 1, 2006; Ord. No. G-5444, § 3, 2009; Ord. No. G-6026, 2015)