Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Labor & Workplace Standards Committee |
HB 1452
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 state government.
Sponsors: Representatives Riccelli, Macri, Doglio, Jinkins, Peterson, Stonier, Dolan, Frame, Robinson, Sells, Fitzgibbon, Tarleton, Gregerson, Valdez, Lekanoff, Walen, Kloba, Chapman, Stanford, Bergquist and Ormsby.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/29/19
Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).
Background:
With certain exceptions, state employees covered by the civil service laws have collective bargaining under the Personnel System Reform Act (PSRA). For purposes of negotiations, state agencies are represented by the Governor. The Public Employment Relations Commission determines appropriate bargaining units and certifies exclusive bargaining representatives. 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 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 (JLARC), the Code Reviser Statute Law Committee (SLC), and interim legislative committees. Therefore, the PSRA does not apply to legislative employees.
Summary of Bill:
The PSRA applies to permanent employees of the legislative branch of state government, the JLARC, and the SLC. Legislators, the Chief Clerk, Deputy Chief Clerk, Secretary of the Senate, Deputy Secretary of the Senate, counsel for the House and Senate, directors and assistant directors of legislative staff, and temporary employees are excluded.
For purposes of bargaining, the employer will be a designee chosen by the Legislature to negotiate on its behalf.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 22, 2019.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.