Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Labor & Workforce Development Committee |
HB 2041
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Extending collective bargaining rights to employees of the legislative branch of the state government.
Sponsors: Representatives Fitzgibbon and Sells.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/25/12
Staff: Jill Reinmuth (786-7134).
Background:
Civil Service.
The state civil service law provides for establishment of the state's personnel administration system. The Human Resources Director within the Office of Financial Management adopts civil service rules, including a comprehensive classification plan and compensation system for all positions in the classified service. These rules may be superseded by collective bargaining agreements.
The state civil service law applies to state agencies and employees, unless expressly excluded or exempted. One provision expressly excludes legislators and legislative employees, including members, officers, and employees of the Legislative Council, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, the Statute Law Committee, and interim legislative committees.
Collective Bargaining.
The state collective bargaining law provides for bargaining of wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment by the state and representatives of classified employee bargaining units. The Public Employment Relations Commission determines appropriate bargaining units and certifies exclusive bargaining representatives. The Governor negotiates collective bargaining agreements with representatives of general government bargaining units and some higher education bargaining units. Collective bargaining agreements must be submitted to the Office of Financial Management by October 1, and to the Legislature as part of the Governor's budget proposal. The Legislature must accept or reject the request for funds necessary to implement the agreements as a whole.
The state collective bargaining law applies to employees covered by the state civil service law. Thus, it does not apply to legislators and legislative employees.
Summary of Bill:
The state civil service law and the state collective bargaining law are made applicable to legislative employees.
Obsolete references to the Legislative Council and the nonprofit corporation formed to operate the Washington State Convention and Trade Center (Convention Center) are deleted. The laws establishing the Legislative Council were repealed in 1983. The laws establishing the nonprofit corporation were repealed in 2010 when authority to operate the Convention Center was transferred to a public facilities district.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.