Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Labor Committee

SSB 5763

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: Establishing a coalition of commissioned officers of the department of fish and wildlife for the purposes of collective bargaining.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Warnick, Pearson and Hatfield).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Requires the bargaining representatives for commissioned officers, except for captains, of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, to bargain as a separate coalition under the Personnel System Reform Act.

Hearing Date: 3/12/15

Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).

Background:

The Personnel System Reform Act (PSRA) provides for collective bargaining of wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment with classified employees of state agencies and institutions of higher education.

For purposes of negotiations, state agencies are represented by the Governor. The PSRA provides for multi-employer bargaining and coalition bargaining. Bargaining representatives of fewer than 500 employees must bargain in one coalition. The coalition must bargain for a master collective bargaining agreement covering all represented employees and may contain agency-specific issues that have been agreed upon in supplemental bargaining.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) sergeants are represented by the Teamsters 760 and the DFW non-supervisory officers in the enforcement program are represented by the Fish and Wildlife Officers' Guild. They are part of the coalition of unions representing fewer than 500 employees each.

Summary of Bill:

The bargaining representatives for commissioned officers, except for captains, of the DFW, must negotiate as a separate coalition. They are no longer included in the coalition composed of exclusive bargaining representatives representing fewer than 500 employees each.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on March 3, 2015.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.