FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5297

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.

Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards

House Committee on Appropriations

Background: The Personnel System Reform Act (PSRA) provides for collective bargaining of wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment with classified employees of state agencies and higher education institutions. Employees covered by the PSRA include all state civil service employees except:

employees covered by the Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act;
confidential employees;
members of the Washington Management Service;
internal auditors in any agency; and
any employee of the Public Employment Relations Commission, the Office of Financial Management, or the Office of Risk Management.

The attorney general (AG) is authorized to appoint assistants and set their compensation. Assistant attorneys general (AAGs) are explicitly excluded from state civil service laws. As a result, the PSRA does not cover AAGs.

Summary: AAGs are granted the right to collectively bargain under the PSRA. The right to collectively bargain does not include division chiefs, deputy attorneys general, the solicitor general, assistant attorneys general in the labor and personnel division, special assistant attorneys general, confidential employees, or any assistant or deputy attorney general who reports directly to the AG.

The only unit appropriate for bargaining is a statewide unit of all AAGs not otherwise excluded. The Governor or the Governor's designee and the exclusive bargaining representative must negotiate one master collective bargaining agreement for AAGs.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	27	18
House	61	35