SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SSB 6195

              AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 14, 1994

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

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6195 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

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

Staff:  Jonathan Seib (786‑7427)

Hearing Dates: January 25, 1994; January 28, 1994

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.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

The bill will allow PERC to stop unfair labor practices before they cause irreparable harm.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Marv Schurke, Public Employment Relations Commission; David Westberg, Stationary Engineers (pro)