FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1520

                                  C 327 L 89

BYRepresentatives Walk, Schmidt, S. Wilson, Sayan, R. Fisher, Betrozoff, R. King, Vekich, Haugen, H. Sommers, R. Meyers and Pruitt; by request of Marine Employees' Commission

Changing provisions relating to salary surveys for ferry system employees.

House Committe on State Government

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The Marine Employees Commission was established in 1983 and is charged with reviewing complaints, grievances, and disputes between ferry system labor and management.  The commission also conducts a salary survey for ferry employees prior to collective bargaining.

The salary survey must compare wages, hours, employee benefits, and conditions of employment of state ferry employees with those of other state employees and workers in the state's private sector who are doing directly comparable work.  Consideration is given to local factors and the classifications involved.

SUMMARY:

The salary survey conducted by the Marine Employees Commission must compare ferry system employees with public and private sector employees in West Coast states (including Alaska) and in British Columbia.  Positions surveyed are to continue to be those directly comparable to ferry system positions, but need not be identical to ferry system positions.  Public policy with regard to the survey is to promote just and fair compensation, rather than equality in compensation, between state ferry employees and others surveyed.

The purpose of the survey is expressed in statute:  to disclose generally prevailing levels of compensation, benefits, and conditions of employment and to guide, but not define or limit, collective bargaining.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 95   1

      Senate    45     1 (Senate amended)

      House 95   1 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:May 11, 1989