See the entire 2009
WSLC Legislative Report
Bargaining bills killed in 2009
Child care workers denied
Many believe that higher state subsidy rates are the key to professionalizing the child care industry, which has long suffered due to low pay, high turnover and a lack of training and career advancement opportunities.
SB 5572 and HB 1329, sponsored by Sen. Chris Marr (D-Spokane) and Rep. Eric Pettigrew (D-Seattle), would establish the right of child care center directors and workers to bargain collectively with the state over subsidy rates, wage progression linked to educational attainment, professional training standards, health care and other employee benefits.
Supported by Washington Educators in Early Learning (a partnership of AFT Washington and the Washington Education Association), as well as SEIU Local 925, HB 1329 passed the House 65-31.
But in the Senate, after first being amended to apply only to child-care centers that "opt in," Sen. Brian Hatfield (D-Raymond) offered an amendment that basically gutted the bill by turning it into a study. About a dozen conservative Democrats joined Republicans in passing Hatfield’s amendment. The House refused to concur with the changes. Although a conference committee in the House was appointed to try to resolve the differences, HB 1329 died.
Performing artists denied
Employees at symphony orchestras, operas and performing arts theaters are not under the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Board for the purposes of forming a union -- unless they have annual receipts of more than $1 million for operas and symphonies and $500,000 for theaters. The effect is to deny performers and other employees’ right to form a union unless their employer voluntarily agrees to allow it.
SB 5046, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Seattle), and HB 1276, sponsored by Rep. Steve Conway (D-Tacoma), would have expanded the Public Employment Relations Commission’s jurisdiction to include symphony orchestras, operas and performing arts theaters. PERC is perfectly equipped to protect these employees’ bargaining rights and to provide dispute mediation.
SB 5046 was heard but never voted upon in the Senate Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee, and HB 1276 passed the House Commerce and Labor Committee but was never allowed a floor vote.
UW extension lecturers denied
AFT Washington assisted a small group of about 70 extension lecturers at the University of Washington English Language Programs as they fought to win collective bargaining rights. A bill to accomplish that, SB 5986, sped through the Senate under the sponsorship of Sen. Claudia Kauffman (D-Kent) and passed 27-17. It also quickly advanced from House Commerce and Labor Committee, thanks to its chairman, Rep. Steve Conway (D-Tacoma).
But Democratic leaders put their foot on the bill, preventing it from coming out of House Ways and Means Committee for a floor vote. After two years of hard work getting themselves organized, this is extremely unfair to these instructors. SB 5986 deserved a vote.
There are many, many more stories included in the print version of the WSLC's 2009 Legislative Report. See the Table of Contents. Also, members of WSLC-affiliated unions can request a free copy of the printed version of the report.
2009 Senate Voting Record -- 2009 House Voting Record
Copyright © 2009 Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO