SENATE BILL REPORT

                           EHB 1152

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE, MARCH 26, 1993

Brief Description:  Denominating the Washington state bar association a public employer for collective bargaining purposes.

SPONSORS: Representatives Thibaudeau, Heavey, King, Vance, Veloria, G. Cole, Riley and J. Kohl

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Prentice, Vice Chairman; Fraser, McAuliffe, Pelz, Sutherland, and Wojahn.

Minority Report:  Do not pass. 

     Signed by Senators Amondson and Newhouse.

Staff:  Jonathan Seib (786‑7427)

Hearing Dates: March 26, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA) provides local public employees a uniform basis for implementing their right to join labor organizations of their own choosing and to be represented for purposes of collective bargaining.  PECBA applies in general to political subdivisions of the state but not to the state itself.

Employees of the Washington State Bar Association are not specifically covered by PECBA.  The Washington Supreme Court maintains supervisory and regulatory control over the Bar Association.  All aspects of employment are controlled by the Board of Governors of the Bar Association and its designated executive director.

SUMMARY:

The Washington Supreme Court is encouraged and authorized to provide by rule that the Washington State Bar Association is considered a public employer under the Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

Bar Association employees should have the same collective bargaining rights as most other workers.  This bill is a compromise which states a clear expression of intent, but does not raise separation of powers concerns.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Representative Thibaudeau, prime sponsor; Randy Bietal, WA State Bar Assn.