SB 6117 - DIGEST

Provides that, if an agreement has not been reached on a new employment contract following a reasonable period of negotiations and mediation, but in no event later than August 1st of any year in which the previous employment contract will expire, an interest arbitration panel shall be created to resolve the dispute.

Provides that, once the members of the arbitration panel are determined, the panel shall promptly establish a date, time, and place for a hearing and shall provide reasonable notice thereof to the parties to the dispute.

Requires the hearing to take place by August 15th.

Provides that the hearing conducted by the arbitration panel shall be concluded by August 22nd.

Directs the neutral chairman to consult with the other members of the arbitration panel, and, by September 1st, the neutral chairman shall make written findings of fact and a written determination of the issues in dispute, based on the evidence presented.

Requires a copy of the written findings of fact and a determination of the dispute to be served on the commission, on each of the other members of the arbitration panel, and on each of the parties to the dispute.

Declares that the written determination shall be final and binding upon both parties, subject to review by the superior court upon the application of either party within seven days solely upon the question of whether the decision of the panel was arbitrary or capricious.

Provides that, if the representative of either or both the teachers and other certificated instructional staff and the school district refuse to submit to the mediation and arbitration procedures set forth in chapter 41.56 RCW, the parties, or the commission on its own motion, may invoke the jurisdiction of the superior court for the county in which the labor dispute exists and such court shall have jurisdiction to issue an appropriate order. A failure to obey such order may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof.