BILL REQ. #:  S-3690.1 

Read first time 01/18/2006.   Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development.

     AN ACT Relating to deducting union dues for state employees; and amending RCW 41.80.100 and 41.04.230.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 41.80.100 and 2002 c 354 s 311 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A collective bargaining agreement may contain a union security provision requiring as a condition of employment the payment, no later than the thirtieth day following the beginning of employment or July 1, 2004, whichever is later, of an agency shop fee to the employee organization that is the exclusive bargaining representative for the bargaining unit in which the employee is employed. The amount of the fee shall be equal to the amount required to become a member in good standing of the employee organization. Each employee organization shall establish a procedure by which any employee so requesting may pay a representation fee no greater than the part of the membership fee that represents a pro rata share of expenditures for purposes germane to the collective bargaining process, to contract administration, or to pursuing matters affecting wages, hours, and other conditions of employment.
     (2) An employee who is covered by a union security provision and who asserts a right of nonassociation based on bona fide religious tenets, or teachings of a church or religious body of which the employee is a member, shall, as a condition of employment, make payments to the employee organization, for purposes within the program of the employee organization as designated by the employee that would be in harmony with his or her individual conscience. The amount of the payments shall be equal to the periodic dues and fees uniformly required as a condition of acquiring or retaining membership in the employee organization minus any included monthly premiums for insurance programs sponsored by the employee organization. The employee shall not be a member of the employee organization but is entitled to all the representation rights of a member of the employee organization.
     (3) ((Upon filing with the employer the written authorization of a bargaining unit employee)) Under a union security provision negotiated under this chapter, the employee organization that is the exclusive bargaining representative of the bargaining unit shall have the exclusive right to have deducted from the salary of the employee an amount equal to the fees and dues uniformly required as a condition of acquiring or retaining membership in the employee organization. The fees and dues shall be deducted each pay period from the pay of all bargaining unit employees ((who have given authorization for the deduction)) and shall be transmitted by the employer as provided for by agreement between the employer and the employee organization.
     (4) Employee organizations that before July 1, 2004, were entitled to the benefits of this section shall continue to be entitled to these benefits.

Sec. 2   RCW 41.04.230 and 2002 c 61 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     Any official of the state authorized to disburse funds in payment of salaries and wages of public officers or employees is authorized, upon written request of the officer or employee, or under a union security provision in a collective bargaining agreement, to deduct from the salaries or wages of the officers or employees, the amount or amounts of subscription payments, premiums, contributions, or continuation thereof, for payment of the following:
     (1) Credit union deductions: PROVIDED, That twenty-five or more employees of a single state agency or a total of one hundred or more state employees of several agencies have authorized such a deduction for payment to the same credit union. An agency may, in its own discretion, establish a minimum participation requirement of fewer than twenty-five employees.
     (2) Parking fee deductions: PROVIDED, That payment is made for parking facilities furnished by the agency or by the department of general administration.
     (3) U.S. savings bond deductions: PROVIDED, That a person within the particular agency shall be appointed to act as trustee. The trustee will receive all contributions; purchase and deliver all bond certificates; and keep such records and furnish such bond or security as will render full accountability for all bond contributions.
     (4) Board, lodging or uniform deductions when such board, lodging and uniforms are furnished by the state, or deductions for academic tuitions or fees or scholarship contributions payable to the employing institution.
     (5) Dues and other fees deductions: PROVIDED, That the deduction is for payment of membership dues to any professional organization formed primarily for public employees or college and university professors: AND PROVIDED, FURTHER, That twenty-five or more employees of a single state agency, or a total of one hundred or more state employees of several agencies have authorized such a deduction for payment to the same professional organization.
     (6) Labor or employee organization dues may be deducted in the event that a payroll deduction is not provided under a collective bargaining agreement under the provisions of ((RCW 41.06.150)) chapter 41.80 RCW: PROVIDED, That twenty-five or more officers or employees of a single agency, or a total of one hundred or more officers or employees of several agencies have authorized such a deduction for payment to the same labor or employee organization: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That labor or employee organizations with five hundred or more members in state government may have payroll deduction for employee benefit programs.
     (7) Insurance contributions to the authority for payment of premiums under contracts authorized by the state health care authority. However, enrollment or assignment by the state health care authority to participate in a health care benefit plan, as required by RCW 41.05.065(5), shall authorize a payroll deduction of premium contributions without a written consent under the terms and conditions established by the public employees' benefits board.
     (8) Deductions to a bank, savings bank, or savings and loan association if (a) the bank, savings bank, or savings and loan association is authorized to do business in this state; and (b) twenty-five or more employees of a single agency, or fewer, if a lesser number is established by such agency, or a total of one hundred or more state employees of several agencies have authorized a deduction for payment to the same bank, savings bank, or savings and loan association.
     Deductions from salaries and wages of public officers and employees other than those enumerated in this section or by other law, may be authorized by the director of financial management for purposes clearly related to state employment or goals and objectives of the agency and for plans authorized by the state health care authority.
     (9) Contributions to the Washington state combined fund drive.
     The authority to make deductions from the salaries and wages of public officers and employees as provided for in this section shall be in addition to such other authority as may be provided by law: PROVIDED, That the state or any department, division, or separate agency of the state shall not be liable to any insurance carrier or contractor for the failure to make or transmit any such deduction.