The bill amends Washington state law concerning public employee collective bargaining, particularly focusing on the formation of bargaining units and dispute resolution procedures. A significant new requirement mandates that the public employment relations commission (PERC) must obtain proof from both employers and employee organizations regarding challenged employees when an organizing petition is submitted. Additionally, if a representation petition is found inappropriate, PERC is tasked with evaluating the appropriateness of existing bargaining units, which may result in the dismissal of the petition or the establishment of a new bargaining unit. The bill also allows the commission to set hearing dates without needing consent from the parties involved and introduces provisions for drawing adverse inferences from non-compliance with subpoenas, while ensuring protections for unions that invoke privilege.

Moreover, the bill modifies interest arbitration processes for employees of the Department of Corrections and ferry employees, including the selection of arbitrators and negotiation timelines, emphasizing the need for timely negotiations to align with the biennial budget cycle. It also outlines provisions for collective bargaining agreements related to employee health care benefits for the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium, allowing the governor to request necessary funding for their implementation. Importantly, the bill introduces a new section that prohibits public employers from requiring employees to waive statutory rights as a condition for settling grievances under collective bargaining agreements, thereby reinforcing workers' rights in the grievance process.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 41.56.050
Substitute Bill: 41.56.050
Bill as Passed Legislature: 41.56.050, 41.80.200, 47.64.170
Session Law: 41.56.050, 41.80.200, 47.64.170