PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
RELATIONS COMMISSION
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Revision of rules that govern agency practice and procedures in all types of cases, including representation cases, unit clarification cases, unfair labor practice cases, impasse resolution cases, grievance arbitration rules, and union security disputes.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.58.050, 28B.52.065, 41.56.090, 41.59.110, 41.76.060, 41.80.080, 41.80.120, section 7, chapter 6, Laws of 2010.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Agency rules need revision to streamline agency procedure and to reflect changes of agency practice based upon recent agency case law. Rule making also needed to implement certain provisions of chapter 6, Laws of 2010 (SB 5046), chapter 296, Laws of 2010 (SB 6726), and chapter 283, Laws of 2010 (SB 6696).
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other state or federal agency regulates this subject with respect to Washington public employees.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency staff intend to bring representatives from both labor and management together in a series of focus groups to discuss possible amendments to agency rules.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Cathleen Callahan, 112 North Henry Street, Suite 300, P.O. Box 40919, Olympia, WA 98504-4919, (360) 570-7312; or Dario de la Rosa, 112 North Henry Street, Suite 300, P.O. Box 40919, Olympia, WA 98504-4919, (360) 570-7328.
April 26, 2009 [2010]
Dario de la Rosa
Appeals Administrator