Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Commerce & Labor Committee |
SB 5986
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. |
Brief Description: Permitting certain higher education employees to engage in collective bargaining.
Sponsors: Senators Kauffman, Kohl-Welles, Hargrove and Shin.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/17/09
Staff: Jill Reinmuth (786-7134)
Background:
Certain employees of institutions of higher education are covered for purposes of collective bargaining under the Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA), the Personnel System Reform Act (PSRA), or laws applicable to faculty members and academic personnel.The PECBA applies to the following employees of institutions of higher education:
Certain employees of institutions of higher education who are exempt from civil service;
Certain teaching assistants and research assistants at the University of Washington and Washington State University;
Printing craft employees in the University of Washington's Department of Printing; and
Certain classified employees of technical colleges.
The PSRA applies to employees of institutions of higher education who are covered for purposes of civil service.
Other collective bargaining laws apply to public four-year institutions with respect to faculty members, and to community colleges with respect to academic personnel.
In May 2008, a union filed a petition seeking to represent certain University of Washington extension lecturers. In February 2009, the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) affirmed the dismissal of the petition. The PERC found the lecturers are not covered for purposes of collective bargaining under the PECBA, the PSRA, or the law applicable to faculty members at public four-year institutions.
Summary of Bill:
The Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA) is made applicable to certain University of Washington extension lecturers. These lecturers are full-time or part-time lecturers in English language programs that hold annual or quarterly contracts.
Rules Authority: The bill does not address the rule-making powers of an agency.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.