The director or any employee organization qualified to apply for an election under RCW
49.66.030 as now or hereafter amended or any employer may maintain in its name or in the name of its members legal action in any county in which jurisdiction of the employer or employee organization may be obtained, to seek relief from the commission of an unfair labor practice: PROVIDED, That such employer or employee organization exhausts the administrative remedies under rules and regulations promulgated by the department prior to seeking such court action.