Section 45-19-1. Definitions; right to express complaints or opinions not impaired

   As used in this article, the term:

   (1) "Public employee" means any person holding a position by appointment or employment in the government of this state or any person holding a position which provides essential public services without which the public health, safety, welfare, or morals would be endangered, by appointment or employment in the government of a county, municipality, school system, or other political subdivision of this state or in any agency, authority, board, commission, or public institution of this state or political subdivision thereof.

   (2) "Public employment" means the appointment or employment in the government of this state or the government of a county, municipality, school system, or other political subdivision of this state or in any agency, authority, board, commission, or public institution of this state or political subdivision thereof.

   (3) "Strike" means the failure to report for duty, the willful absence from one's position, the stoppage or deliberate slowing down of work, or the withholding in whole or in part of the full, faithful, and proper performance of the duties of employment for the purpose of inducing, influencing, or coercing a change in the conditions, compensation, rights, privileges, or obligations of public employment; provided, however, that nothing in this article shall limit or impair the right of any public employee to express or communicate a complaint or opinion on any matter related to the conditions of public employment so long as the same is not designed to and does not interfere with the full, faithful, and proper performance of the duties of employment.

Ga. L. 1962, p. 459, § 2; Ga. L. 1990, p. 8, § 45; Ga. L. 1998, p. 1155, § 1.