The bill amends RCW 41.80.200 to extend interest arbitration rights to certain employees of the Washington Department of Corrections, specifically those covered by chapter 41.06 RCW, while removing the exclusion of management service employees from this provision. The intent is to ensure dedicated services in supervising criminal offenders in state correctional facilities and on community supervision. The bill outlines the process for negotiations, mediation, and arbitration, including timelines for commencing negotiations, appointing mediators, and selecting arbitrators. It also specifies the factors that arbitrators must consider when making decisions, such as the financial ability of the department to pay and comparisons with similar state employers.

Additionally, the bill establishes that existing wages and conditions of employment cannot be changed during arbitration proceedings without mutual consent. It provides mechanisms for enforcing arbitration decisions, although it clarifies that such decisions are not binding on the legislature unless funds are approved for implementation. The bill aims to create a structured process for resolving disputes between the Department of Corrections and its employees, ensuring fair treatment and consideration of various factors in the arbitration process.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 41.80.200
Bill as Passed Legislature: 41.80.200
Session Law: 41.80.200