SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5539

BYSenators Anderson, Lee, Smitherman and West

Establishing a labor-management cooperation program.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 23, 1989

Senate Staff:Jonathan Seib (786-7427)

AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In a rapidly changing economy, cooperation between labor and management is being viewed more and more as crucial to an area's economic health.  The United States Department of Labor is making a concerted effort to foster better labor-management relations throughout the country.

Some states, and some areas in Washington State, have formal labor-management cooperation mechanisms in place that have reported successes.

SUMMARY:

The labor-management cooperation program is established in the Department of Labor and Industries.  It will gather and disseminate information relating to labor-management cooperation, carry out educational activities, and promote and assist local labor-management committees.

A grant program is established to be administered within the labor-management cooperation program.  The grant program will provide funds, on a 50 percent matching basis, to local labor-management committees for activities which further cooperation within a particular area or industry.  No more than $10,000 may be provided to a single committee in a biennium.  Each committee receiving funds must report yearly to the Department of Labor and Industries on their activities.

A labor-management cooperation council is established, with members from labor, management, state agencies, and the general public.  The council will assist the Department of Labor and Industries in developing the labor-management cooperation program, ensuring interagency coordination of program activities, and will review applications for labor-management initiative grants.

Appropriation:    $200,000

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available