SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6150

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Commerce & Trade, January 29, 2004

Title: An act relating to collective bargaining agreements.

Brief Description: Setting the maximum term for collective bargaining representative agreements.

Sponsors: Senators Doumit, Morton, Fraser and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 1/29/04 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report: Do pass.

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

Staff: Jennifer Strus (786-7316)

Background: Collective bargaining agreements entered into between a county, municipal corporation or political subdivision of the state and an exclusive bargaining representative cannot extend for more than three years.

Summary of Bill: The length of collective bargaining agreements between local government and an exclusive bargaining representative is changed from three years to six years.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: This bill would allow local governments to collectively bargain a contract that lasts more than three years. In the past, unions have requested longer contracts but the county could not do so because the law prohibited contracts for more than three years.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Senator Mark Doumit; Jim Zdilar, Cowlitz County Personnel Director; Pat Thompson, Washington Council of County and City Employees.