Bill > HB1068

This bill amends the existing law (RCW 41.80.200) to remove the exclusion of Washington management service employees from interest arbitration at the Department of Corrections. Currently, certain employees of the Department of Corrections are allowed to use interest arbitration as an alternative method for resolving labor disputes. The bill eliminates the previous exemption for members of the Washington management service, thus expanding the scope of employees who can use this dispute resolution process. Interest arbitration is a procedure where an independent arbitrator helps resolve negotiation impasses between employers and employee representatives by making a binding decision on unresolved contract issues. The bill maintains the existing process for interest arbitration, including requirements for negotiations, mediation, and arbitrator selection, while broadening the types of employees who can access this method. The goal remains to maintain dedicated and uninterrupted services in state correctional facilities and for community supervision by providing a structured approach to resolving labor disputes. The arbitration process considers factors such as the employer's financial ability, comparative wages in similar government entities, and the ability to retain employees when making determinations.