Brief Description: Modifying time periods for collective bargaining by state ferry employees.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Appleton, Flannigan and Rodne; by request of Department of Transportation).

House Committee on Commerce & Labor
Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development

Background:

In 2006, the Legislature made a number of changes to the collective bargaining law that applies to ferry workers. These changes included providing for the collective bargaining representative of the ferry workers to bargain with the Governor or Governor's designee rather than the Marine Transportation Division of the Department of Transportation.

Specific time frames are set for the steps in the negotiations. Negotiations commence about September 1 of each odd-numbered year and conclude by September 1 in even-numbered years. If negotiations are not concluded by April 1, the parties are considered at impasse and may request the Marine Employees' Commission to appoint a mediator. If an agreement has not been reached by April 15, all impasse items must be submitted to arbitration.

The parties may agree to different time periods so long as a final resolution is reached by September 1.

Summary:

Time periods for collective bargaining by state ferry employees are changed. The date to begin negotiations is changed from September in odd-numbered years to any time after February 1 in even-numbered years and agreements must be concluded by October 1 of even-numbered years. Intermediate dates within these time frames are also changed. The April 1 date for request of a mediator is changed to August 1. The April 15 date by which impasse items must be submitted to arbitration is removed.

A procedure is provided for selection of an interest arbitrator before bargaining. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator within 10 days after the first Monday in September of odd-numbered years, either party may request a list of seven arbitrators from the federal mediation and conciliation service and the parties then select an interest arbitrator using the coin toss/alternate strike method. The parties must then reserve dates for potential arbitration and prepare a schedule of at least five negotiation dates and execute a written agreement. The parties must comply with the interest arbitration agreement regardless of the status of any mediation.

For interim bargaining, the parties must agree to the use of the American Arbitration Association for selection of a neutral chair.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   97   0
Senate   47   0

Effective: July 22, 2007