public employees; collective bargaining

SB 1684 establishes a framework for collective bargaining between Arizona public employees (such as teachers, police, and city workers) and their employers. It creates the Public Employee Labor Relations Board to oversee processes like designating bargaining units, certifying exclusive union representatives, and resolving disputes. The bill defines key terms (e.g., "exclusive representative" for unions, "public employer" for state/local governments) and outlines procedures for negotiations, while explicitly excluding elected officials and board members from coverage. This procedural bill does not change specific wages or benefits but sets the rules for how public employees can collectively negotiate employment terms.