SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5380

  AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE, MARCH 3, 1993

Brief Description:  Concerning collective bargaining for members of the Washington state patrol.

SPONSORS: Senators Prentice, West, Pelz, Winsley, A. Smith, L. Smith, Snyder, Roach, Owen, Talmadge, Skratek, Niemi, Haugen, Spanel, Drew, Moyer, Jesernig, Sutherland, Rinehart, Williams, Vognild, Sheldon, Loveland, Hargrove, M. Rasmussen, Bauer, Gaspard, Wojahn, Sellar, Quigley and McAuliffe

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5380 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Prentice, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Fraser, McAuliffe, Sutherland, and Vognild.

Staff:  Jonathan Seib (786‑7427)

Hearing Dates: March 1, 1993; March 3, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Members of the Washington State Patrol are authorized to collectively bargain on non-wage related matters under the terms of the Public Employees Collective Bargaining Act. (PECBA).  The act prohibits them from striking, but provides for mediation and fact-finding as a means to resolve disputes in the bargaining process.  The findings and recommendations of the fact-finder regarding how the dispute should be resolved are advisory only.

SUMMARY:

The fact-finding provisions of the Public Employees Collective Bargaining Act applicable to members of the Washington State Patrol are replaced by provisions authorizing binding arbitration.  The findings and order of the arbitrator as to how a dispute is to be resolved is final and binding on each party to the dispute.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The mediation and fact-finding provisions applicable to the State Patrol under the PECBA are repealed.

The mediation and arbitration provisions of the PECBA, generally applicable to "uniform personnel," are also made applicable to Washington State Patrol officers.

Appropriation: none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested March 1, 1993

TESTIMONY FOR:

The fact-finding process has not worked.  Management does not consider the findings or recommendations unless forced to.  Binding arbitration would allow closure of contract negotiations.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Dan Davis, WA State Patrol Troopers Assn.