S-1618               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5741

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Senator Vognild

Read first time 2/9/87 and referred to Committee on Transportation.

AN ACT Relating to salary surveys by the marine employees' commission; and amending RCW 47.64.006 and 47.64.220.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 1, chapter 15, Laws of 1983 and RCW  47.64.006 are each amended to read as follows:

          The legislature declares that it is the public policy of the state of Washington to:  (1) Provide continuous operation of the Washington state ferry system at reasonable cost to users; (2) efficiently provide levels of ferry service consistent with trends and forecasts of ferry usage; (3) promote harmonious and cooperative relationships between the ferry system and its employees by permitting ferry employees to organize and bargain collectively; (4) protect the citizens of this state by assuring effective and orderly operation of the ferry system in providing for their health, safety, and welfare; (5) prohibit and prevent all strikes or work stoppages by ferry employees; (6) protect the rights of ferry employees with respect to employee organizations; and (7) promote equality in compensation, benefits, and working conditions between ferry system employees((, private sector employees within the state, and other Washington state employees)) and private and public sector maritime and nonmaritime employees in directly comparable positions in the transportation industry operating in Puget Sound and adjacent inland waters and the sheltered waters of British Columbia.

        Sec. 2.  Section 13, chapter 15, Laws of 1983 and RCW 47.64.220 are each amended to read as follows:

          ((Prior to collective bargaining,)) The marine employees' commission shall conduct a salary survey ((which)) of employers with fifteen or more employees who have been in continuous operation for at least five calendar years.  Such survey shall be a public document comparing wages, hours, employee benefits, and conditions of employment of involved ferry employees with those of private and public sector maritime and nonmaritime employees ((within the state and Washington state employees)) in the transportation industry operating in Puget Sound  and adjacent inland waters and the sheltered waters of British Columbia doing directly comparable work, giving consideration to factors peculiar to the area and the classifications involved.  The salary survey shall be completed ninety days before the expiration date of the existing contracts.  The commission shall make such other findings of fact as the parties may request during bargaining or impasse.