SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6406

                    AS OF JANUARY 25, 1994

Brief Description:  Including dispatch personnel and correctional employees in collective bargaining provisions.

SPONSORS: Senator Prentice

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Staff:  Jonathan Seib (786‑7427)

Hearing Dates: January 25, 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 (PECBA).  For uniformed personnel, the act recognizes the public policy against strikes as a means of settling labor disputes.  To resolve disputes involving these uniformed personnel, the PECBA requires binding arbitration if negotiations for a contract reach impasse and cannot be resolved through mediation.

Uniformed personnel includes, among others, the law enforcement officers in cities and towns with a population of 15,000 or more, and in counties with a population of 70,000 or more, certain correctional employees employed in counties with a population of 70,000 or more, and fire department dispatchers.

Beginning July 1, 1995, uniformed personnel will also include the law enforcement officers of cities and towns with a population between 7,500 and 15,000, and counties with a population between 35,000 and 70,000.

SUMMARY:

On July 1, 1995, the binding arbitration provisions of the Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act will apply to, among others, law enforcement officers employed by any city, town, or county regardless of population, to all correctional employees, and police or law enforcement dispatchers.

Technical changes are made to correct previously enacted multiple amendments.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested