FINAL BILL REPORT

                           SSB 6195

                           C 58 L 94

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Modifying enforcement authority of the public employment relations commission.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice, Moore, McAuliffe, West, Franklin, Ludwig, Roach, Fraser, Bauer, Vognild and Pelz)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

BACKGROUND:

Employees of cities, counties, and other political subdivisions of the state bargain their wages and working conditions under the Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act.  The act directs the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) to prevent unfair labor practices, and establishes certain procedures that the commission must follow in doing so.  Under these procedures, the commission must wait 30 days after it enters its finding regarding an unfair labor practice before it can petition a superior court for an injunction.

There is concern that this 30 day delay is unnecessary and inconsistent with other laws, and could allow irreparable harm to employers or employees.

SUMMARY:

The language establishing a procedure for PERC to prevent unfair labor practices is simplified.  PERC is authorized, once it is determined that someone is engaging in an unfair labor practice, to immediately petition a superior court for injunctive relief.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    35   10

House     82   13

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1994