Brief Description: Implementing a collective bargaining agreement with Western Washington University.

Sponsors: Representatives Sommers, Hasegawa, Linville, P. Sullivan, Quall, Kenney and Conway.

Hearing Date: 1/23/06

Staff: Brian Enslow (786-7143).

Background:

Collective bargaining agreements must be submitted to the Office of Financial Management and to the Legislature as part of the Governor's budget proposal. The Legislature must accept or reject the request for funds necessary to implement the agreements as a whole.

In 2004, the Washington Public Employees' Association (WPEA) was certified to represent Bargaining Unit C in collective bargaining with Western Washington University (WWU). The WPEA reached an agreement with WWU, which was submitted to the Governor, and funded and approved by the Legislature in the 2005-07 biennial budget. Among other things, the agreement provided COLAs effective July 1 of 2005 and 2006, along with salary survey adjustments.

By June of 2005, the employees in Unit C decertified WPEA as their bargaining representative and certified the Public School Employees (PSE) to represent them. This action negated the agreement between the WPEA and WWU. Additionally, since this bargaining unit elected a new union to represent them, they were not covered by the September 1 COLA for non-represented employees.

An agreement was reached between the PSE and WWU in October, 2005, and a contract was submitted to the Legislature for approval. WWU currently has an appropriation sufficient to fund the economic terms of the new contract.

Summary of Bill:

The collective bargaining agreement between Bargaining Unit C, represented by the Public School Employees Union, and Western Washington University is approved. Economic provisions of the agreement include a 3.2 percent salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2005, a 1.6 percent increase effect July 1, 2006 until June 30, 2007, and for implementation of a salary survey adjustment.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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