Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 49.99 · 20 active provisions
Access to the collective and individual protections afforded by established federal labor laws, as well as ensuring stable, effective, and efficient labor-management relations, is a vital state interest that has critical benefits to the state's economic and social development. Should there be an absence of applicable l…
Following June 11, 2026, should federal law cease to preempt the regulation of private sector labor-management relations in the state, as a whole or any portion thereof, with regard to any employer, employees, trade, or industry which had been subject to federal labor law regulation, this chapter applies in full force…
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Bargaining representative" means any labor organization which has as one of its primary purposes the representation of employees in their employment relations with employers, and which does currently, or has…
The privilege established by RCW 5.60.060(11) applies to all labor organizations covered by this chapter and in all proceedings authorized by this chapter.
Upon application by a labor organization that held the status of an exclusive bargaining representative under federal law by certification or voluntary recognition immediately prior to the time that state regulation of private sector labor relations is no longer preempted as applied to that collective bargaining relati…
(1) In the event that an employer and employees are in disagreement as to the selection of an exclusive bargaining representative, the commission must be invited to intervene as is provided in RCW 49.99.100 through 49.99.130.(2) In the event that an employer and an exclusive bargaining representative are in disagreemen…
The commission, after hearing upon reasonable notice, shall decide in each application for certification as an exclusive bargaining representative or unit clarification, other than applications submitted under RCW 49.99.050, the unit appropriate for the purpose of collective bargaining. In determining, modifying, or co…
The commission shall determine the exclusive bargaining representative by: (1) Conducting a cross-check pursuant to RCW 49.99.090; or (2) conducting an election pursuant to RCW 49.99.100.
(1) If only one labor organization is seeking certification as an exclusive bargaining representative of a bargaining unit for which there is no incumbent exclusive bargaining representative, the commission may determine the question concerning representation by conducting a cross-check comparing the bargaining authori…
(1) In the event the commission elects to conduct an election to ascertain the exclusive bargaining representative, and upon the request of a prospective bargaining representative showing written proof of at least 30 percent representation of the employees within the proposed unit, the commission shall hold an election…
No question concerning representation may be raised within one year of a certification or attempted certification. Where there is a valid collective bargaining agreement in effect, no question of representation may be raised except during the period not more than 90 nor less than 60 days prior to the expiration date of…
(1) The commission shares concurrent jurisdiction with superior courts to prevent and to remedy any violation of RCW 49.32.020 with regard to any employer, employees, trade, or industry covered under this chapter that had been subject to federal labor law regulation.(2) The commission applies the Washington courts' jur…
The commission shall provide, at the mutual request of an employer and an exclusive bargaining representative, mediation of any labor dispute between them. Any party to mediation may request and receive fact finding by the mediator at the conclusion of a failed mediation.
(1) Notwithstanding the possible cessation of any duty on the part of any employer or labor organization to comply with the terms of any collective bargaining agreement reached under the auspices of federal labor law, any such agreement reached between any employer or exclusive bargaining representative as defined in t…
(1) If an agreement through collective bargaining has not been reached within six months of certification, or within six months of the expiration of the last collective bargaining agreement, the parties may agree in writing to continue to bargain for an additional month. Thereafter, they may agree in writing to continu…
(1) In addition to any contractually agreed method for selecting arbitrators, the parties may mutually request the commission to, and the commission shall, appoint a qualified person who may be an employee of the commission to act as an arbitrator to assist in the resolution of a labor dispute between an employer and a…
Nothing in this chapter, except as specifically provided for herein, interferes with, impedes, or diminishes in any way the right to strike. However, a labor organization, before engaging in any strike or other concerted refusal to work at any health care institution shall, not less than 10 days prior to such action, n…
An employer engaged primarily in the building and construction industry may make an agreement covering employees engaged, or who upon their employment will be engaged in the building and construction industry, with a labor organization of which building and construction employees are members, notwithstanding that:(1) T…
The commission shall promulgate, revise, or rescind such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or appropriate to administer the provisions of this chapter in conformity with the intent and purpose of this chapter and consistent with the best standards of labor-management relations.
Actions taken by or on behalf of the commission must be pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW, or rules adopted in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, and the right of judicial review provided by chapter 34.05 RCW is applicable to all such actions and rules. However, if a conflict exists between this chapter and 34.05 RCW, this…