SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1348

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.

Sponsors: Representatives Reykdal, Hope, Stanford, Pollet, Hunt, Ryu, Seaquist, Goodman, Haigh, Wylie, Fitzgibbon, Santos, Pettigrew, Lytton, Blake, Moscoso, Sells, Orwall, Liias, Roberts, Carlyle, Sullivan, Upthegrove, Dunshee, Maxwell, Green, Riccelli, Ormsby, Springer, Appleton, McCoy, Van De Wege, Bergquist, Tarleton, Fey and Hudgins.

Background: Several collective bargaining laws apply to public institutions of higher education. These laws generally provide that the governing boards and the exclusive bargaining representatives have a mutual obligation to bargain in good faith over wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment.

For faculty at four-year institutions and certain student employees at the University of Washington and Washington State University, a collective bargaining agreement may not include compensation that exceeds the amount or percentage established by the Legislature in the appropriations act. The employer, however, may provide additional compensation to faculty and certain student employees that exceeds that provided by the Legislature.

For academic employees at community and technical colleges, a contract may not include salary increases that exceed the amount or percentage established by the Legislature in the appropriations act and allocated by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (State Board). Any provisions pertaining to salary increases in a contract are not binding upon future actions of the Legislature. There is no provision for additional compensation.

Summary of Bill: Legislative findings are made.

The college boards must award full and part-time academic employees step increases based on local collective bargaining agreements. Step increases may exceed compensation provided by the Legislature. The Legislature may allocate funding for step increases, which may be used in combination with turnover savings to award step increases.

Step increases are incremental salary increases based on a schedule. The schedule may be based on time, specific requirements, or a combination of the two.

Turnover savings are the difference between the compensation level of an employee who left employment and the compensation level of the replacement employee, excluding temporary savings.

Rules adopted by the State Board regarding permissible elements of compensation for faculty and other employees must be consistent with the legislation.