HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6383

BYSenate Committee on Economic Development & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Anderson, Lee, Smitherman and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Labor and Industries)

Promoting labor-management cooperation on the industrial insurance system.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Cole, Vice Chair; Smith, Ranking Republican Member; Forner, R. King, Leonard, O'Brien, Prentice, Walker and Wolfe.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  (2)

      Signed by Representatives Vekich, Chair and Jones.

House Staff:Chris Cordes (786-7117)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR FEBRUARY 23, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Some industries have implemented labor-management cooperation programs to deal with workers' compensation issues.  The Washington industrial insurance law does not specifically address labor- management cooperation programs.

SUMMARY:

An industrial insurance labor-management cooperation program is established in the Department of Labor and Industries to improve the economy and the environment for workers and businesses and to provide a forum for industrial insurance discussions.

Through the program, the department will encourage the formation of local industrial insurance labor-management committees, serve as a clearinghouse for information on industrial insurance, and provide educational opportunities and other appropriate services.

The director of the Department of Labor and Industries must appoint a program coordinator and make annual reports on the progress of the program to the Legislature.  The coordinator of the program must report quarterly to the Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee.

The program expires on June 30, 1991.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Bob McCallister, Department of Labor and Industries; Bob Dilger, Washington State Construction and Building Trades Council; and Clif Finch, Association of Washington Business.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Industrial insurance raises many controversial issues that can only be resolved when all the parties work together.  A program within the department for promoting labor-management cooperation may prove to be a very successful way to assist workers and employers with industrial insurance problems.  Labor-management cooperation programs have been very effective in some industries and in other states.  The Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee has endorsed this legislation.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.