S-4693.2  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6743

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1996 Regular Session

By Senator Prentice

Read first time 01/30/96.  Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce & Trade.

Providing for binding arbitration for employees of school districts.

    AN ACT Relating to binding interest arbitration for classified school employees; and adding a new section to chapter 41.56 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 41.56 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) In addition to the classes of employees listed in RCW 41.56.030(7), the provisions of RCW 41.56.430 through 41.56.452, 41.56.470, 41.56.480, and 41.56.490 shall also be applicable to employees of school districts subject to this chapter, subject to the following:

    (a) In addition to the issues certified by the executive director under RCW 41.56.450, each party to the impasse may select a maximum of three issues for determination by the arbitration panel which may include any matter affecting terms and conditions of employment.

    (b) In making its determination, the arbitration panel shall be mindful of the legislative purpose enumerated in RCW 41.56.430 and as additional standards or guidelines to aid it in reaching a decision, shall take into consideration the following factors:

    (i) The constitutional and statutory authority of the employer;

    (ii) Stipulations of the parties;

    (iii) The average consumer prices for goods and services, commonly known as the cost of living;

    (iv) At-risk student populations or students with special needs;

    (v) Changes in any of the foregoing circumstances during the pendency of the proceedings; and

    (vi) Such other factors, not confined to the foregoing, which are normally or traditionally taken into consideration in the determination of wages, hours, and conditions of employment.

    (2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an employer and an exclusive bargaining representative from agreeing to substitute, at their own expense, their own procedure for resolving impasses in collective bargaining for that provided in this section or from agreeing to utilize for the purposes of this section any other governmental or other agency or person in lieu of the commission.

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