SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1273

BYRepresentatives R. King, Sayan, Winsley, Wang and Jones

Extending the effect of collective bargaining agreements.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 23, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Anderson, Vice Chairman; Cantu, Conner, Deccio, McMullen, Saling, Smitherman, Warnke, Williams.

Senate Staff:Patrick Woods (786-7430)

                  February 25, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, FEBRUARY 25, 1988

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 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:

All of the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement remain in effect after the termination date of the agreement until a new agreement is executed by the parties.  This provision does not apply to collective bargaining for port district employees.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Sam Kinville, County and City Employees (for); David Westberg, Operating Engineers (for); Mike Ryherd, Joint Council of Teamsters (for); Steve Lindstrom, Washington State Transit Association (against); Everett Rosmith, City of Seattle (against); Julie Kebler, METRO (against); Eugene Strahan, Washington Public Employees Association (for); Larry Swift, Washington State School Directors Association (against); Kathleen Collins, AWC (against); Howard Coble, WASA (against); Gary Lowe, Association of Counties (against); Dave Broderick, Hospital Association (against); Darrell Russell, Public Ports (against); Joe Daniels, Professional & Technical Engineers (for)