HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5263

BYSenate Committee on Economic Development & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Warnke, West, McMullen, Bender, Pullen, Bauer, Smitherman and Metcalf)

Providing for arbitration for unilaterally implemented proposals.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives Vekich, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Patrick, Ranking Republican Member; Jones, Leonard, Prentice, Smith and Wolfe.

House Staff:Chris Cordes (786-7117)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 3, 1989

BACKGROUND:

After an existing local government collective bargaining agreement has expired and the parties have reached a negotiating impasse, the employer may unilaterally implement the changes in working conditions or compensation contained in the last offer made at the bargaining table.  A 1984 arbitration case concluded, however, that an employer could not unilaterally implement the arbitration requirements in the last offer.

SUMMARY:

If a local government employer unilaterally implements its last and best contract offer where there is no contract settlement, allegations that either party is violating the terms of the implemented offer are subject to arbitration under any procedures that are in the implemented offer or, if no procedures are in the offer, in the parties' last contract.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    David Westberg, International Union of Engineers.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    If employers are allowed to unilaterally implement changes in working conditions, the parties need a mechanism to settle disputes arising under those implemented provisions.  The employer should not be allowed to implement the final offer, but then not be bound by the arbitration requirements of that offer.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.