SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5233

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.

As Passed Senate, March 5, 2019

Title: An act relating to creating an alternative process for sick leave benefits for workers represented by collective bargaining agreements.

Brief Description: Creating an alternative process for sick leave benefits for workers represented by collective bargaining agreements.

Sponsors: Senators Keiser and Conway.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Labor & Commerce: 1/22/19, 1/29/19 [DP, w/oRec].

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 3/05/19, 48-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Exempts workers covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) from state sick leave requirements if the CBA meets certain criteria, including establishing provisions for sick leave that meet or exceed the benefits provided under state sick leave laws.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Conway, Vice Chair; Saldaña, Walsh and Wellman.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senators King, Ranking Member; Braun.

Staff: Jarrett Sacks (786-7448)

Background: Initiative 1433 was adopted by a vote of the people in 2016. The initiative included provisions raising the minimum wage and established a new requirement for employers to provide paid sick leave.

Paid Sick Leave. Every employer must provide to each of its employees paid sick leave. Each employee accrues at least one-hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked.

An employee may use paid sick leave for the following reasons:

An employee is entitled to use accrued paid sick leave beginning on the 90th day after starting their employment. Unused paid sick leave carries over to the following year; however, an employer is not required to allow an employee to carry over more than 40 hours of sick leave.

Referral Union Programs. State unemployment insurance law requires individuals who receive unemployment benefits to actively look for work using customary trade practices. In some trades, labor unions refer members to job openings. Being a member of a union that has been approved by the Employment Security Department (ESD) for the referral union program satisfies the job search requirement for unemployment insurance purposes.

Under ESD rule, for a union to be eligible to join the referral union program:

Summary of Bill: State sick leave requirements do not apply to workers covered by a bona fide collective bargaining agreement if:

After ratification of a collective bargaining agreement that meets these requirements, the signatory union must submit a copy of the agreement to L&I.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The current sick leave law is good, but by its structure, eliminates construction workers from eligibility. The law does not provide for flexibility for construction workers who may work for multiple employers. Construction industry workers who are covered by collective bargaining agreements should be allowed to negotiate comparable benefits that can be portable from employer to employer.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Karen Keiser, Prime Sponsor; Michael Transue, Mechanical Contractors Association; Mark Riker, Executive Secretary, Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.