N.Y. General Municipal Law § 681: Declaration of policy

§ 681. Declaration of policy. In order to establish a more harmonious

and cooperative relationship between government and its public

employees, it is hereby declared to be the purpose of this article to

provide by law for the settlement of certain differences between public

employees and their employers through procedures under which employees

may present grievances, free from coercion, interference, restraint,

discrimination or reprisal. The provisions of this article shall be

liberally construed for the accomplishment of this purpose.