SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5359

BYSenators Sellar, Vognild, Warnke, Bauer, Benitz and Sutherland

Clarifying the public employment relations commission jurisdiction with public utility districts.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 20, 1989

Senate Staff:Jonathan Seib (786-7427)

AS OF FEBRUARY 17, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act, RCW 41.56, applies to any political subdivision of the state except as otherwise provided by RCW 54.04, among others.  RCW 54.04, governing public utility districts, provides that PUDs and their employees are authorized to collectively bargain with the same rights and responsibilities as are accorded in private industry.

In 1988, the State Supreme Court held that the Public Employment Relations Commission, under RCW 41.56, has jurisdiction over labor disputes between public utility district employers and employees.  The court found that the exemption for PUDs in 41.56 applies only to the extent that the district's own collective bargaining provisions conflict with 41.56.

SUMMARY:

PUDs subject to the collective bargaining provisions of the public utility district law are clearly and explicitly exempt from coverage under the Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested