Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Commerce & Labor Committee

HB 2540

Brief Description:  Authorizing collective bargaining for University of Washington employees who are enrolled in academic programs.

Sponsors:  Representatives Conway, Kenney, Wood, Chase, Cooper, Fromhold, Lysen, Campbell, Hunt, Veloria, Cody, Simpson, Haigh, Dickerson, Miloscia, Ogden, Quall, McIntire, Schual‑Berke, Santos, McDermott and Kirby.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Makes the public employees' collective bargaining law applicable to teaching assistants and research assistants at the University of Washington.

Hearing Date:  1/30/02

Staff:  Jill Reinmuth (786‑7134).

Background:

Employees enrolled in academic programs at the University of Washington, like other students, are exempt from the state civil service law.  As a result, they do not have a right to engage in collective bargaining under the state civil service collective bargaining law.  They also are not granted a right to engage in collective bargaining under the public employees' collective bargaining law.  Consequently, while the University of Washington may have an implied power, it likely does not have an obligation to negotiate with teaching assistants, research assistants, or their representatives over terms of employment.

Summary of Bill:

The public employees' collective bargaining law applies to the University of Washington with respect to certain employees enrolled in academic programs.  Members of an appropriate bargaining unit are specified.  They include:

$Predoctoral instructors, lecturers, teaching assistants, and teaching associates;

$Predoctoral researchers, research assistants, and research associates;

$Predoctoral staff assistants and staff associates;

$Tutors, readers, and graders; and

$Employees enrolled in an academic program with substantially equivalent duties.

Rules Authority: The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule-making powers of an agency.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 23, 2002.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.