SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SCR 8407

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

              Commerce & Labor, January 29, 1998

Brief Description:  Establishing an interagency task force to conduct a study of contingent work force issues.

Sponsors:  Senators Franklin, Schow, Heavey and Fraser.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce & Labor:  3/3/97, 3/4/97 [DP]; 1/22/98, 1/29/98 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8407 be substituted therefor, and the substitute concurrent resolution do pass.

  Signed by Senators Schow, Chair; Horn, Vice Chair; Franklin, Fraser and Heavey.

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Background:  The effect of the growth in the number of contingent workers in Washington has not been studied.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A contingent workforce task force is to study the contingent workforce in Washington and make a report and recommendations to the Commerce and Labor Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives by December 1, 1998. 

The task force is to be led by the Department of Labor and Industries and, in addition to representatives from that agency, includes four legislators, representatives from the Employment Security Department, the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, the Department of Social and Health Services, and the Office of Financial Management. 

The task force is to work in conjunction with an advisory committee with four business representatives, and four labor representatives.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill changes the report date from December 1, 1997 to December 1, 1998 and adds four legislators to the task force.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Testimony For:  We lack data to understand the contingent workforce and its effect on our economy.  The Upjohn Institute has found a growth in the number of contingent workers and that they have fewer benefits than standard workers.  This may result in additional costs to the state.  About 70 percent of community and technical college teachers are part-time with contracts for a quarter and earn one-third to one-half of what full-time employees earn per class.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Robby Stern, Washington State Labor Council; Sandra Schroeder, Washington Federation of Teachers.