The bill amends Washington state law concerning public employee collective bargaining, particularly focusing on the formation of bargaining units and interest arbitration procedures. A new requirement mandates that the public employment relations commission (PERC) obtain proof from both employers and employee organizations regarding challenged employees when an organizing petition is submitted. Additionally, if a petition for a new bargaining unit is found inappropriate, PERC must evaluate the appropriateness of existing units represented by other organizations. The bill also allows the commission or presiding officer to set hearing dates without consent from the parties involved and permits drawing adverse inferences from non-compliance with subpoenas, with exceptions for unions invoking privilege. Furthermore, it modifies interest arbitration processes for Department of Corrections and ferry employees, allowing arbitrators to be selected from the American Arbitration Association alongside the federal mediation and conciliation service.

Moreover, the bill addresses collective bargaining agreements related to employee health care benefits for the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium, requiring these agreements to be separate and enabling the governor to request necessary funding for their implementation. The legislature can act on these agreements if submitted to the office of financial management and legislative budget committees before final budget actions. It also allows for funding requests for agreements reached after October 1st, contingent on a financial infeasibility determination. Additionally, a new section prohibits public employers from requiring workers to waive statutory rights as a condition for settling grievances under collective bargaining agreements, thereby safeguarding 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