BILL REQ. #:  H-4460.2 

Read first time 01/28/2004.   Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

     AN ACT Relating to requiring bargaining over past practices in ferry employee collective bargaining; amending RCW 47.64.120; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 47.64.120 and 1997 c 436 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Ferry system management and ferry system employee organizations, through their collective bargaining representatives, shall meet at reasonable times((,)) to negotiate in good faith with respect to wages, hours, working conditions, insurance((,)) and health care benefits as limited by RCW 47.64.270, any changes in the past practices of ferry system management that are related to any of these subjects, and other matters mutually agreed upon. Employer funded retirement benefits shall be provided under the public employees retirement system under chapter 41.40 RCW and shall not be included in the scope of collective bargaining.
     (2) Upon ratification of bargaining agreements, ferry employees are entitled to an amount equivalent to the interest earned on retroactive compensation increases. For purposes of this section, the interest earned on retroactive compensation increases is the same monthly rate of interest that was earned on the amount of the compensation increases while held in the state treasury. The interest will be computed for each employee until the date the retroactive compensation is paid, and must be allocated in accordance with appropriation authority. The interest earned on retroactive compensation is not considered part of the ongoing compensation obligation of the state and is not compensation earnable for the purposes of chapter 41.40 RCW. Negotiations shall also include grievance procedures for resolving any questions arising under the agreement, which shall be embodied in a written agreement and signed by the parties.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.