SB 6736-S - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

     Requires negotiations between a public employer and the bargaining representative in a unit of employees of school districts subject to this act to be commenced at least five months prior to the submission of the budget to the legislative body of the public employer.  If no agreement has been reached sixty days after the commencement of such negotiations then, at any time thereafter, either party may declare that an impasse exists and may submit the dispute to the commission for mediation, with or without the concurrence of the other party.

     Provides that, if an agreement has not been reached following a reasonable period of negotiations and mediation, and the executive director of the commission, upon the recommendation of the assigned mediator, finds that the parties remain at impasse, then an interest arbitration panel shall be created to resolve the dispute.

     Provides that, if the representative of either or both the employees of school districts subject to this chapter and the public employer refuse to submit to the procedures set forth in this act, the parties, or the commission on its own motion, may invoke the jurisdiction of the superior court for the county in which the labor dispute exists and such court shall have jurisdiction to issue an appropriate order.  A failure to obey such order may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof.

     Repeals RCW 41.59.120.