SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SSB 5380

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 11, 1993

Brief Description:  Concerning collective bargaining for members of the Washington state patrol.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice, West, Pelz, Winsley, A. Smith, L. Smith, Snyder, Roach, Owen, Talmadge, Skratek, Niemi, Haugen, Spanel, Drew, Moyer, Jesernig, Sutherland, Rinehart, Williams, Vognild, Sheldon, Loveland, Hargrove, M. Rasmussen, Bauer, Gaspard, Wojahn, Sellar, Quigley and McAuliffe)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5380 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Prentice, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Fraser, McAuliffe, Sutherland, and Vognild.

Staff:  Jonathan Seib (786‑7427)

Hearing Dates: March 1, 1993; March 3, 1993

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

BACKGROUND:

Members of the Washington State Patrol are authorized to collectively bargain on non-wage related matters under the terms of the Public Employees Collective Bargaining Act. (PECBA).  The act prohibits them from striking, but provides for mediation and fact-finding as a means to resolve disputes in the bargaining process.  The findings and recommendations of the fact-finder regarding how the dispute should be resolved are advisory only.

SUMMARY:

The mediation and fact-finding provisions applicable to the State Patrol under the PECBA are repealed.

The mediation and arbitration provisions of the PECBA, generally applicable to "uniform personnel," are also made applicable to Washington State Patrol officers.

Appropriation: none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

The fact-finding process has not worked.  Management does not consider the findings or recommendations unless forced to.  Binding arbitration would allow closure of contract negotiations.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Dan Davis, WA State Patrol Troopers Assn.

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

The mediation and fact-finding provisions of PECBA applicable to Washington State Patrol officers are amended.  The procedures for using fact-finding are deleted.  The mediation and arbitration provisions for "uniformed personnel" are made applicable to patrol officers.  The mediator and arbitration panel may not consider wages or wage issues.  Criteria guiding the arbitration decision are established.