HB 2076 - DIGEST

Recognizes that the uninterrupted and dedicated service of educational employees is vital to the welfare and public safety and health of this state, and that to promote such dedicated and uninterrupted public service there should exist an effective and adequate means of settling collective bargaining disputes.

Provides that, during the pendency of the proceedings before the arbitration panel created under this act, existing wages, hours, and other conditions of employment shall not be changed by action of either party without the consent of the other but a party may so consent without prejudice to its rights or position under this act.

Provides that if the representative of either or both the exclusive bargaining representative and the employer refuse to submit to the procedures set forth in this act, 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 the court has jurisdiction to issue an appropriate order. A failure to obey such an order may be punished by the court as a contempt of court under chapter 7.21 RCW.

Declares that the right of educational employees to engage in any strike, work slowdown, or work stoppage is prohibited. The right of a school district to engage in a lockout is prohibited.

Declares that an organization recognized as the exclusive bargaining representative of employees subject to this chapter that willfully disobeys a lawful order of enforcement by a superior court pursuant to this act or that willfully offers resistance to such an order, whether by strike or otherwise, is in contempt of court as provided in chapter 7.21 RCW. An employer that willfully disobeys a lawful order of enforcement by a superior court under this act or willfully offers resistance to such an order is in contempt of court as provided in chapter 7.21 RCW.

Repeals RCW 41.59.120.