SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5433
As of January 28, 2025
Title: An act relating to exempting exclusive bargaining representatives for department of corrections employees from certain provisions related to coalition bargaining.
Brief Description: Exempting exclusive bargaining representatives for department of corrections employees from certain provisions related to coalition bargaining.
Sponsors: Senators Ramos, Holy, Bateman, Krishnadasan, Valdez, Frame, Hasegawa, Nobles and Salda?a.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Labor & Commerce: 1/28/25.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Exempts exclusive bargaining representatives of interest arbitration-eligible Department of Corrections (DOC) employees from coalition bargaining requirements.
  • Requires, for DOC employees, the Governor and the exclusive bargaining representative to negotiate one master collective bargaining agreement.?
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE
Staff: Jarrett Sacks (786-7448)
Background:

The Personnel System Reform Act (PSRA) provides for collective bargaining of wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment with classified employees of state agencies and higher education institutions. The?PSRA provides for binding interest arbitration for Department of Corrections?(DOC) employees, except for confidential employees, members of the Washington Management Service, and internal auditors.?

?

The?PSRA?provides for multi-employer bargaining and?coalition bargaining. Exclusive bargaining representatives of more than one bargaining unit must negotiate one master collective bargaining agreement covering all of the represented employees. Exclusive bargaining representatives that represent fewer than 500 employees must bargain?in a?coalition, with one master agreement covering all of the employees represented by the?coalition.
Summary of Bill:

For DOC employees, the Governor and an exclusive bargaining representative must negotiate one master collective bargaining agreement. Exclusive bargaining representatives of interest arbitration-eligible DOC employees are excluded from provisions requiring exclusive bargaining representatives of fewer than 500 employees to bargain by coalition.?
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO: In the coalition, there are 43 bargaining units but only one has interest arbitration. This one unit creates two separate processes for the same contract and slows down the process.? This is a small step to simplify the collective bargaining process.?
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Bill Ramos, Prime Sponsor; Kati Durkin, Washington Federation of State Employees.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.