SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 114

BYHouse Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Sayan, Patrick, Wang, R. King, Fisch and Winsley)

Extending effect of expired collective bargaining agreement.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 18, 1987; March 27, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Warnke, Chairman; Smitherman, Vice Chairman; Tanner, Vognild, Williams, Wojahn.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

      Signed by Senators Anderson, Lee, Sellar, West.

Senate Staff:Patrick Woods (786-7430)

                  March 31, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR, MARCH 27, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Under the Public Employees Collective Bargaining Act, local government employees have the right to organize and designate their collective bargaining representatives.  Employees are not granted or denied the right to strike.  Public employers and employee bargaining representatives are required to bargain in good faith but parties are not required to agree to a proposal or make a concession.  If both parties are unable to arrive at an agreement, an impasse is considered to be reached.  Once this occurs, public employers may implement their final offer.  The term used for this type of action is referred to as unilateral implementation.  There have been two instances in the past three years in which public employers have unilaterally implemented their final offer after an impasse has been reached.

Uniformed employees (police, fire fighters, medics) are subject to binding interest arbitration when impasse is declared.  Uniformed personnel are prohibited from striking.

The act is administered by the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC).

SUMMARY:

A lapsed collective bargaining agreement remains in effect until a successor agreement has been signed.

An exemption is provided for collective bargaining agreements of port and utility districts.

Fiscal Note:      available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

An exemption is provided for collective bargaining agreements entered into by public hospital districts.

Senate Committee - Testified: Sam Kinville, Washington State Council of City and County Employees; Kathleen Collins, AWC; Julie L. Kebler, Metro