HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESB 6230
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:
Labor & Workplace Standards
Title: An act relating to the collective bargaining rights of the professional personnel of port districts.
Brief Description: Concerning the collective bargaining rights of the professional personnel of port districts.
Sponsors: Senators Conway, Chase, Saldaña, Wellman, Hasegawa, Keiser and Hunt.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Labor & Workplace Standards: 2/19/18, 2/20/18 [DP].
Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill |
|
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKPLACE STANDARDS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Sells, Chair; Gregerson, Vice Chair; Doglio and Frame.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives McCabe, Ranking Minority Member; Manweller.
Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).
Background:
The Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA) provides for collective bargaining of wages, hours, and working conditions for employees of cities, counties, and other political subdivisions. All port district employees may collectively bargain under the PECBA except for managerial, professional, and administrative personnel, and their confidential secretaries.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Summary of Bill:
Professional employees of port districts are included in the types of employees who may collectively bargain under the PECBA. Professional employees may not be included in the same bargaining unit as supervisory personnel.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill aligns port districts with cities and counties. Professional employees do the same work in these jurisdictions. It is a technical fix. Port of Tacoma professionals could not organize because the law did not allow it. The bill was amended to address concerns of the ports.
(Opposed) None.
(Other) The Legislature treated ports differently because sometimes ports have to act quickly, which collective bargaining may not allow. Ports are not unified on this issue. Bargaining could create an awkward situation in smaller ports if professionals were asked to make a recommendation that would result in the loss of represented positons. The bill fixes something that is not broken.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Senator Conway, prime sponsor; and Brenda Wiest, Teamsters Local 117.
(Other) Eric Johnson. Washington Public Ports Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.