Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Labor & Workforce Development Committee

SSB 5614

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Establishing procedures for requesting the funds necessary to implement the compensation and fringe benefit provisions of bargaining agreements with the University of Washington under chapter 41.80 RCW.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Senators White, Kilmer, Tom, Kohl-Welles, Keiser, Kline and Conway).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Changes the process for requests for funds to implement the compensation and fringe benefit provisions of collective bargaining agreements between the University of Washington and representatives of classified employees.

Hearing Date: 3/9/11

Staff: Jill Reinmuth (786-7134).

Background:

The Personnel System Reform Act (PSRA) provides for collective bargaining between institutions of higher education and representatives of classified employees. The PSRA also outlines a process for the Governor to submit, and the Legislature to consider, requests for funds to implement the compensation and fringe benefit provisions of agreements.

The Governor must submit such a request to the Legislature, but not unless two conditions are met. First, the request must be submitted to the Director of the Office of Financial Management (Director) by October 1 prior to the legislative session at which the request is to be considered. Second, the request must be certified by the Director as being financially feasible for the state.

The Legislature must approve or reject the request as a whole. The Legislature must not consider the request unless it is transmitted to the Legislature as part of the Governor's budget. If the Legislature rejects or fails to act on the submission, either party may reopen all or part of the agreement, or the exclusive bargaining representative may seek to implement mediation and fact-finding procedures.

Summary of Bill:

Two changes are made to the process for requests for funds to implement the compensation and fringe benefit provisions of agreements. These changes apply only in the case of agreements between the University of Washington and representatives of classified employees.

The Governor must submit a request to the Legislature only if appropriations of $10,000 or more are necessary. (Otherwise, a request need not be submitted)

If the Director of the Office of Financial Management does not certify a request as being feasible financially, the parties must enter into collective bargaining solely for the purpose of reaching a mutually agreed upon modification to address the absence of requested funds.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on March 7, 2011.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.