SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2849
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 of February 25, 2016
Title: An act relating to adding certain commissioned court marshals of city police departments to the definition of uniformed personnel for the purpose of public employees' collective bargaining.
Brief Description: Adding certain commissioned court marshals of city police departments to the definition of uniformed personnel for the purpose of public employees' collective bargaining.
Sponsors: House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards (originally sponsored by Representatives Goodman, Springer, Stambaugh, Sullivan and Kilduff).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/11/16, 74-22.
Committee Activity: Commerce & Labor: 2/26/16.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR |
Staff: Jarrett Sacks (786-7448)
Background: Employees of cities, counties, and other political subdivisions of the state bargain their wages and working conditions under the Public Employee's Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA). For certain uniformed personnel, the PECBA requires binding interest arbitration if negotiations for a contract reach impasse and cannot be resolved through mediation. Under interest arbitration, an impartial third-party makes decisions regarding the unresolved terms of the contract.
Uniformed personnel include, among others:
firefighters;
law enforcement officers in cities and counties of a certain size;
general authority peace officers and firefighters employed by certain port districts;
certain correctional employees of jails in counties with populations of 70,000 or more;
security forces at nuclear power plants; and
Washington State Patrol officers.
Last year, a bill was enacted that added county court marshals to the definition of uniformed personnel if they are employed by, trained for, and commissioned by the county sheriff and charged with enforcing laws and maintaining security in county-owned or contracted property, and they perform duties assigned to them by the county sheriff or by judicial order.
Summary of Bill: Interest arbitration for uniformed personnel is extended to court marshals of any city with a population of more than 400,000 if those court marshals:
are employed by the city municipal court and commissioned by the city police department;
are charged with enforcing laws and maintaining security in any city-owned or contracted property; and
perform duties assigned by the city police department or city municipal court.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.