OLYMPIA – Today, the House of Representatives passed a measure aimed at streamlining the collective bargaining process for Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) members at the Department of Corrections (DOC).
Sponsored by Rep. Mary Fosse (D-Everett), House Bill 1105 addresses inefficiencies caused by including DOC employees—who have interest arbitration rights—at the general government bargaining table alongside other state agencies and higher education institutions.
HB 1105 exempts DOC employees with interest arbitration rights from coalition bargaining requirements, allowing their exclusive bargaining representative and the employer to negotiate a separate master collective bargaining agreement.
Rep. Fosse described the bill as a “simple fix to streamline the bargaining process.” She added, “This ensures that the DOC’s interest arbitration process for community corrections officers does not delay or complicate bargaining for other state employees.”
Watch Rep. Fosse’s floor remarks:
The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.