HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2267
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Ways & Means
Title: An act relating to protecting the collective bargaining rights of certain exempt employees.
Brief Description: Protecting the collective bargaining rights of certain exempt employees.
Sponsors: Representatives Conway, Haigh, Hunt and Kenney.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Ways & Means: 2/24/09, 3/2/09 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 16 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Ericks, Vice Chair; Dammeier, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cody, Conway, Darneille, Haigh, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Pettigrew, Priest, Seaquist and Sullivan.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Hinkle, Ross and Schmick.
Staff: Charlie Gavigan (786-7340)
Background:
Generally, state employment positions are either exempt, general service, or Washington Management Service. General service employees and some categories of exempt employees are eligible to collectively bargain if they so elect. In higher education, employee positions typically are either exempt or general services; some categories of exempt employees, as well as general service employees, may collectively bargain if they so elect. For example, higher education faculty and graduate students are exempt employees but may collectively bargain. For employees who collectively bargain, salary and wage increases are determined as provided in the existing contract.
Under chapter 5, Laws of 2009 (Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5460), state agencies are prohibited from granting salary or wage increases to any exempt employees (higher education and other state agencies) and Washington Management Service employees until February 2010.
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Summary of Substitute Bill:
Provisions prohibiting state agencies from granting salary or wage increases are modified to allow an increase granted in collective bargaining agreements for exempt higher education employees and marine employees.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The substitute bill allows salary increases for marine employees pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Preliminary fiscal note available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This corrects an omission in Engrossed Second Substitute Bill 5460 which was enacted earlier this session. The salary freeze was not intended to apply to those increases provided through a collective bargaining agreement. This provides equity among collective bargaining units and respects the collective bargaining process.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: John Boesenberg, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; and Wendy Rader-Konefalski, Washington Education Association and United Faculty of Washington State.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.