Section 1. Subsection (a) of Section 9R of Chapter 23 of the General Laws is hereby repealed and replaced with the following:-

(a) There shall be in the department of labor relations a commonwealth employment relations board, in this and the following 5 sections called the ''board,'' consisting of 3 members to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a representative of organized labor, 1 of whom shall be a representative of municipal management chosen from a list of 3 candidates provided by the Massachusetts Municipal Association, and 1 of whom shall be neutral. The board shall in no respect be subject to the jurisdiction of the executive office of labor and workforce development except to the extent of compliance with reasonable requests from the secretary for the sharing of information which does not interfere with the efficient and independent functioning of the board. Each member of the board shall be appointed for a term of 5 years; provided, however, that a term of appointment shall be shortened, if necessary, to ensure that the members' terms are staggered such that a term expires every 2 years. Any vacancy in the board shall be filled by appointment in like manner. No more than 2 members shall be from the same political party. Upon the expiration of the term of any member, her successor shall be appointed in like manner. Any member may be removed by the governor for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office, but for no other cause.