PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
RELATIONS COMMISSION
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Revision of rules that govern agency practices and procedures for all types of cases, including rules for representation cases, unit clarification cases, unfair labor practice cases, impasse resolution rules, grievance arbitration rules, and union security dispute rules.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.58.050, 28B.52.065, 41.56.090, 41.59.110, 41.76.060, and 41.80.900.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Repeal out of date or unnecessary rules, adjust rules to reflect current operation of the agency, and adjust and enact rules necessary to administer chapter 41.80 RCW. Commission rules also need some revision to streamline some internal processes to accommodate a growing clientele.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other state or federal agency regulates this subject with respect to Washington public employees.
Process for Developing New Rule: Commission staff brought representatives from both labor and management together to discuss clientele concerns with the current rules and to discuss potential changes that commission staff and clientele would like to see enacted.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Ken Latsch, 112 North Henry Street, Suite 300, P.O. Box 40919, Olympia, WA 98504-4919, (360) 570-7320; or Dario de la Rosa, 112 North Henry Street, Suite 300, P.O. Box 40919, Olympia, WA 98504-4919, (360) 570-7328.
June 13, 2007
Kenneth J. Latsch
Operations Manager