Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Labor & Workplace Standards Committee

HB 1299

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 assistant attorneys general.

Sponsors: Representatives Dolan, Doglio, Jinkins, Sells, Kilduff, Gregerson, Peterson, Goodman, Valdez, Riccelli, Macri, Frame, Appleton, Fitzgibbon, Tharinger, Ryu, Stanford, Hudgins, Lekanoff, Bergquist, Leavitt, Ormsby and Pollet.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Allows Assistant Attorneys General to collectively bargain under the Personnel System Reform Act.

Hearing Date: 1/24/19

Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).

Background:

The Personnel System Reform Act.

With certain exceptions, state employees covered by the state civil service law collectively bargain under the Personnel System Reform Act (PSRA) their wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. The PSRA does not contain interest arbitration provisions. Under the PSRA, for purposes of negotiations, state agencies are represented by the Governor.

The PSRA provides for multi-employer bargaining and coalition bargaining. Exclusive bargaining representatives of more than one bargaining unit must negotiate one master collective bargaining agreement covering all of the represented employees. Exclusive bargaining representatives that represent fewer than 500 employees each must bargain in a coalition, with one master agreement covering all of the employees represented by the coalition.

The Office of the Attorney General.

The Attorney General (AG) represents the state, including state officials, departments, agencies, and boards and commissions. The AG may appoint assistants and set their compensation. Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs) are explicitly excluded from the state civil service laws; therefore, the PSRA does not apply to AAGs.

Summary of Bill:

Assistants Attorney General are authorized to collectively bargain under the PSRA. Division chiefs, deputy attorneys general, the solicitor general, special AAGs, confidential employees, and any AAG or deputy AG who reports directly to the AG are excluded from bargaining.

The only unit appropriate for the purposes of collective bargaining is a statewide unit of all AAGs authorized to bargain. The Governor or Governor's designee and the exclusive bargaining representative must negotiate one master collective bargaining agreement for AAGs.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 18, 2019.

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