PRIA Logo™
WashingtonHB 24712025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning collective bargaining for employees not covered by the national labor relations act.

Sponsored By: Shaun Scott (Democratic)

Became Law

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Bargaining, contract holdover, and arbitration

Once a union is certified, the employer must bargain before changing pay, hours, or job rules. When a contract expires, most terms stay in place until there is a new deal; strike or lockout bans do not carry over. If no deal is reached in six months after certification or expiration (plus any written extensions), the dispute goes to interest arbitration. If the parties cannot pick an arbitrator in five days, the commission provides a list; the hearing starts within two months and the decision comes within 30 days. The commission provides mediation at joint request and can appoint an arbitrator without charging its own fees to the parties. Strikes at health care institutions require at least 10 days’ written notice to the employer and the commission.

How workers choose a union

A union can be certified by card check if more than 50% of workers sign cards. Workers can also ask for a secret-ballot vote with at least 30% support; any group with 10% support is on the ballot. If no choice wins a majority, there is a runoff between the top two. The commission holds a hearing to set the right bargaining unit and avoids too many small groups. If there is a fight over the union choice or merging units, the commission steps in. You cannot challenge representation for one year after certification; if a contract is active, challenges are only allowed 90 to 60 days before it ends, and auto-renewals beyond three years do not block challenges.

State bargaining rules cover federal gaps

When federal labor coverage stops for a workplace, this state law applies. If a union was already the exclusive rep, the commission certifies it quickly and aims to finish within one month unless there is exceptional cause. Existing union contracts stay in force during that check. The commission and courts can stop violations, order damages, reinstate workers, and award attorneys’ fees. The commission can make rules, and its actions follow the state Administrative Procedure Act; if there is a conflict, this chapter controls.

Construction hiring deals with unions

Construction employers may make agreements with unions even before a majority is certified. These deals can give unions job referral rights and set training or experience rules or seniority priority. This applies only if the employer is mainly in the building and construction industry.

Stronger privacy for union talks

Communications between you and your union representative, and among union reps, are generally private. The law protects these communications in hearings under this chapter. There are listed exceptions, such as to prevent an imminent serious crime, when the employee is accused of a crime, in actions against the union, for admissions of criminal conduct, mandatory reporting, or records already public.

Free Policy Watch

You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.

Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.

Pick a topic to get started

My TaxesMy HealthMy BudgetMy MoneyMy Freedom
Or tell us something more specific

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Shaun Scott

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 89 • No: 53

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 31 • No: 18

House vote • 2/13/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 58 • No: 35 • Other: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/23/2026House

  2. Chapter 130, 2026 Laws.

    3/23/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/23/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/6/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/6/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/5/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 31; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/4/2026House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/4/2026House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/3/2026House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/27/2026House

  11. Minority; do not pass.

    2/26/2026House

  12. WM - Majority; do pass.

    2/26/2026House

  13. On motion, referred to Ways & Means.

    2/23/2026House

  14. Minority; do not pass.

    2/20/2026House

  15. LC - Majority; do pass.

    2/20/2026House

  16. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

    2/17/2026House

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 58; nays, 35; absent, 0; excused, 5.

    2/13/2026House

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/13/2026House

  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/13/2026House

  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/13/2026House

  21. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/10/2026House

  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/3/2026House

  23. Minority; do not pass.

    1/30/2026House

  24. LAWS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    1/30/2026House

  25. LAWS - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/30/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in