The bill amends existing laws related to public employee collective bargaining processes in Washington State, specifically RCW 41.56.050 and introduces new sections to chapters 41.58 and 49.36 RCW. Key provisions include the requirement for the public employment relations commission to enforce a 10-calendar day deadline for employers to provide names and addresses of employees in new organizing petitions. If an employer fails to meet this deadline, the commission may presume that the employees have met the necessary threshold for a showing of interest. Additionally, if a petition for representation is deemed inappropriate, the commission must assess whether the bargaining unit represented by another organization is appropriate and act accordingly.

The bill also grants hearing officers the authority to set hearing dates without consent from involved parties and allows for adverse inferences to be drawn from non-compliance with subpoenas, with specific exceptions for unions invoking privilege. Furthermore, it allows for the consolidation of bargaining units under a single employee organization if deemed appropriate by the commission. Lastly, it prohibits public employers from requiring workers to waive statutory rights as a condition for settling grievances under collective bargaining agreements.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 41.56.050