SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5021

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Commerce & Trade, February 7, 2003

Title: An act relating to educational employees' benefits and compensation during strikes and work stoppages.

Brief Description: Prohibiting the use of sick leave benefits, compensation, or health benefits for educational employees during a strike or work stoppage.

Sponsors: Senators T. Sheldon, Mulliken and Benton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 1/31/03, 2/7/03 [DP, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Honeyford, Chair; Hewitt, Vice Chair; and Mulliken.

Minority Report: Do not pass.

      Signed by Senators Franklin and Keiser.

Staff: Jennifer Ziegler (786-7316)

Background: Current law requires every school district board of directors to fix, allow and order paid salaries and compensation for all certificated school district employees.

Summary of Bill: Funds appropriated for the salaries and compensation of certificated school district employees must not be used for sick leave benefits, compensation, or health benefits during the time an employee engages in a strike or work stoppage.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Public funds should not be used to support strikes. Teacher strikes are a poor example for students.

Testimony Against: Teachers do not receive compensation during strikes.

Testified: PRO: Merton Cooper; Myrtle Cooper; Barbara Mertens, WA Assn. of School District Administrators; Dan Steele, WA State School Directors Assn.; CON: Lucinda Young, WA Education Assn.