SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5680

As of February 19, 2001

Title:  An act relating to University of Washington employees.

Brief Description:  Including higher education employees who collectively bargain in salary adjustments authorized for other higher education employees who are subject to state civil service law.

Sponsors:  Senators Kohl‑Welles, Sheahan, Shin and Thibaudeau.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/13/01.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786‑7428)

Background:  In 1993, the Legislature authorized employees of institutions of higher education to exercise an option to be governed under the Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA) rather than the state civil service law.  Currently, some University of Washington employees are governed by PECBA while others with the identical classifications are governed by civil service.

Legislation was adopted in 1996 to allow salary adjustments and readjustments for groups of state employees covered under the state civil service law.  These adjustments allow the Washington Personnel Resources Board to address recruitment and retention issues, correct salary compression or inversion problems, recognize increased duties and responsibilities, and correct salary inequities.  The law as passed did not recognize employees who had exercised their option to bargain collectively under PECBA.

Summary of Bill:  The state's civil service salary adjustment provisions apply to employees governed under PECBA as well as those governed under the civil service law. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 1, 2001.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.