Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Labor & Workforce Development Committee

ESSB 6486

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: Granting collective bargaining for postdoctoral and clinical employees at certain state universities.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Conway, Chase, Keiser, Harper, Prentice, Nelson, Pridemore, Kline, Murray and Frockt).

Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill

  • Grants collective bargaining rights under the Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act to postdoctoral and clinical employees at the University of Washington and Washington State University.

Hearing Date: 2/17/12

Staff: Alexa Silver (786-7190).

Background:

Certain employees of institutions of higher education are covered for purposes of collective bargaining under the Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA), the Personnel System Reform Act (PSRA), or laws applicable to faculty members and academic personnel.

The PECBA applies to the following employees of institutions of higher education:

The PSRA applies to employees of institutions of higher education covered under the state civil service law.

Other collective bargaining laws apply to public four-year institutions with respect to faculty members, and to community colleges with respect to academic personnel. Postdoctoral and clinic employees are excluded from the faculty bargaining law.

Summary of Bill:

The Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA) applies to postdoctoral and clinical employees, as excluded from the faculty bargaining law, at the University of Washington and Washington State University.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.