BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

WHEREAS, Over the past fifteen years, the national and state economy has witnessed an enormous growth in permanent workers being replaced by "contingent workers," workers who are temporary and involuntary part-time workers, workers on-call, leased workers, day laborers, the self-employed, and "independent" contract workers; and

WHEREAS, During this same period, national statistics disclose a decline in wages for a large majority of wage earners, a loss in individual and family benefits, and an increase in employment insecurity; and

WHEREAS, Although reports suggest that the growth in the contingent work force is a serious problem, there has been no comprehensive study of Washington's contingent work force to learn the impact that this phenomenon has had on individuals and families, local economies, and the state economy;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the House of Representatives of the state of Washington, the Senate concurring, That a study of the contingent work force be conducted to review and make recommendations on the following issues with respect to Washington's contingent work force:

How many workers, in both the private and public sector, are part of the contingent work force;

What has been the growth rate of the contingent work force;

What is the demographic breakdown of the contingent work force;

What is the wage and benefit profile of the contingent work force;

What is the industrial and geographical breakdown of the contingent work force;

What are the explanations for the growth of the contingent work force;

What impact has the growth of the contingent work force had on employees and their families, the state's local economies, and the state economy;

Which state and federal laws, if any, provide for a different level of employee benefits based on the number of hours per week a person works or on the permanence of his or her employment;

To what extent are employer provided/contract benefits based on the number of hours per week a person works or on the permanence of his or her employment;

How has the growth of the contingent work force impacted social services;

What legislative proposals, at either the federal or state level, are being offered to address the concerns raised by the growth of the contingent work force; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the study be conducted by an interagency task force, the task force to include representatives of the department of labor and industries, including staff from the employment standards program and from SHARP, the employment security department, the work force training and education coordinating board, the department of social and health services, and the office of financial management. The department of labor and industries shall be the lead agency; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the task force shall consult with and be advised and monitored by an advisory committee consisting of twelve members: One member from each caucus of the Senate, each member being a member of the Senate commerce and labor committee, appointed by the President of the Senate; one member from each caucus of the House of Representatives, each member being a member of the House of Representatives commerce and labor committee, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; four members representing labor, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, from a list of names recommended by a state-wide organization representing a cross-section and majority of organized labor in the state; and four members representing business, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, from a list of names recommended by a state-wide organization of employers representing a majority of employers of the state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the department of labor and industries report the findings and recommendations of the interagency study to the commerce and labor committees of the Senate and House of Representatives by December 1, 1997; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the interagency task force expires July 1, 1998.