SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6353

BYSenators Patterson, Craswell and Hansen; by request of Washington State Transportation Commission

Manning state ferries according to Coast Guard certificate.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 28, 1988

Senate Staff:Vicki Fabre (786-7313)

AS OF JANUARY 28, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The state Ferry System Labor Agreement with Marine Engineers (one of the six marine employee collective bargaining units) requires negotiation of manning levels and work schedules relative to vessel operation.  A result of the current labor agreement between the Washington State Ferries and MEBA is the employment of personnel on the M/V Express in excess of U.S. Coast Guard manning requirements.

During negotiation between the WSF and the Marine Engineers on the Express manning issue, the Engineers contended that their collective bargaining agreement called for an engineer to be on the vessel during all operating hours.  The WSF maintained that the engineer's primary responsibility was to perform repair work when the boat was docked and that the engineer only needed to be on the vessel to monitor performance and investigate mechanical problems. 

The dispute over this issue was referred to the Marine Employees Commission.  The Commission ordered the parties to negotiate a work schedule covering both operating hours and tie-up time.  WSF felt that this dispute could have significantly affected the ferry passenger-only program because inclusion of a fulltime engineer would have resulted in higher costs for the program.  To avoid future disputes of this nature, and to provide WSF with more flexibility to make adjustments in the number of persons assigned to a vessel, legislation is proposed that modifies existing law regarding manning issues.

SUMMARY:

Manning levels for ferry vessels are determined by the Coast Guard certificate and are not included in the scope of collective bargaining.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 19, 1988