HB 2770 - DIGEST

Finds that: (1) Respect for human rights includes respect for fundamental worker rights;

(2) The foundation of worker rights is freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collectively bargain over terms and conditions of employment;

(3) These rights have been adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations and the International Labor Organization, of which the United States is a member state;

(4) As a member state, the United States has pledged to ensure that its domestic labor law fully protects these fundamental worker rights;

(5) These fundamental worker rights are also a statutory right under the law of the state of Washington;

(6) These worker rights are not adequately protected when enforcement under the federal law is ineffective because of lengthy delays and procedural barriers; and

(7) To ensure that workers are free of discrimination when exercising their rights, a mechanism for supporting these rights is necessary in state law.

Authorizes a petition to be filed with the commission by a person claiming to be aggrieved because the exercise of his or her right under RCW 49.36.010, or under any statute, treaty, or agreement of the United States, to form, join, or assist, or to seek to form, join, or assist, a labor organization, has been interfered with, restrained, or coerced by another. Such a petition must be filed within six months of the alleged interference, restraint, or coercion.