(1) Appointing authority: An individual lawfully authorized to appoint, transfer, layoff, reduce, dismiss, suspend, or demote employees.

(2) Contract: A formal and binding agreement or an amendment to an agreement between an employer and an employee business unit for performing services as defined in the competitive contracting solicitation.

(3) Employee business unit: A group of employees who perform services for which an employer proposes to competitively contract and who:

(a) Notify the agency of their intent to submit a bid for the performance of those services through competitive contracting; or

(b) Receive award of a contract from the employer as a result of being a successful bidder.

(4) Employee business unit member: A classified employee working under the provisions of chapter 357-43 WAC.

(5) Employer: A state agency, an institution of higher education, or a related higher education board.