Title 41 — Title 41 PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, CIVIL SERVICE, AND PENSIONS
37 chapters · 1,408 sections in this title.
RCW 41.56.310 Collective bargaining agreements—Effect of termination—Application of section.
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(1) After the termination date of a collective bargaining agreement, all of the terms and conditions specified in the collective bargaining agreement shall remain in effect until the effective date of a subsequent agreement, not to exceed one year from the termination date stated…
RCW 41.56.320 Retroactive date in collective bargaining agreements allowable, when.
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Whenever a collective bargaining agreement between a public employer and a bargaining representative is concluded after the termination date of the previous collective bargaining agreement between the same parties, the effective date of such collective bargaining agreement may be…
RCW 41.56.350 Collective bargaining agreements—Binding arbitration.
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Subject to RCW 41.58.070, a collective bargaining agreement may provide for binding arbitration of a labor dispute arising from the application or the interpretation of the matters contained in a collective bargaining agreement.[ 2021 c 13 s 2; 2019 c 230 s 11; 1975 1st ex.s. c 2…
RCW 41.56.360 Arbitrators—Selection—Additional method.
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Except for law enforcement personnel grievance arbitrations subject to RCW 41.58.070, in addition to any other method for selecting arbitrators, the parties may request the public employment relations commission to, and the commission shall, appoint a qualified person who may be …
RCW 41.56.401 Application of chapter to employees of institutions of higher education—Exceptions—Limitations on bargaining.
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(1) In addition to the entities listed in *RCW 41.56.101, this chapter applies to employees of institutions of higher education who are exempted from civil service pursuant to RCW 41.06.070(2), with the following exceptions:(a) Executive employees, including all members of the go…
RCW 41.56.403 Application of chapter to University of Washington printing craft employees.
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In addition to the entities listed in *RCW 41.56.101, this chapter shall apply to the University of Washington with respect to the printing craft employees in the department of printing at the University of Washington.[ 1987 c 484 s 1. Formerly RCW 41.56.022.]Notes:*Reviser's not…
RCW 41.56.407 Application of chapter to certain postdoctoral and clinical university employees.
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In addition to the entities listed in *RCW 41.56.101, this chapter applies to postdoctoral and clinical employees as excluded in chapter 41.76 RCW at the University of Washington and at Washington State University.[ 2012 c 255 s 1. Formerly RCW 41.56.513.]Notes:*Reviser's note: T…
RCW 41.56.411 Application of chapter to classified employees of technical colleges.
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In addition to the entities listed in *RCW 41.56.101, this chapter shall apply to classified employees of technical colleges as provided for in RCW 28B.50.874.[ 1991 c 238 s 112. Formerly RCW 41.56.024.]Notes:*Reviser's note: This RCW reference has been corrected to reflect the r…
RCW 41.56.421 Application of chapter to academic employees.
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(1) In addition to the entities listed in *RCW 41.56.101, this chapter applies to employees who are enrolled in an academic program and are in a classification covered in subsection (2) of this section on any campus of Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University,…
RCW 41.56.423 University of Washington—Certain employees enrolled in an academic program—Scope of collective bargaining.
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(1) In addition to the entities listed in *RCW 41.56.101, this chapter applies to the University of Washington with respect to employees who are enrolled in an academic program and are in a classification in (a) through (i) of this subsection on any University of Washington campu…
RCW 41.56.425 Washington State University—Certain employees enrolled in an academic program—Scope of collective bargaining.
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(1) In addition to the entities listed in *RCW 41.56.101, this chapter applies to Washington State University with respect to employees who are enrolled in an academic program and are in a classification in (a) through (g) of this subsection on any Washington State University cam…
RCW 41.56.501 Uniformed personnel—Legislative declaration.
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The intent and purpose of chapter 131, Laws of 1973 is to recognize that there exists a public policy in the state of Washington against strikes by uniformed personnel as a means of settling their labor disputes; that the uninterrupted and dedicated service of these classes of em…
RCW 41.56.511 Uniformed personnel—Negotiations—Declaration of an impasse—Appointment of mediator.
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Negotiations between a public employer and the bargaining representative in a unit of uniformed personnel shall be commenced at least five months prior to the submission of the budget to the legislative body of the public employer. If no agreement has been reached sixty days afte…
RCW 41.56.521 Uniformed personnel—Interest arbitration panel—Powers and duties—Hearings—Findings and determination.
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If an agreement has not been reached following a reasonable period of negotiations and mediation, and the executive director, upon the recommendation of the assigned mediator, finds that the parties remain at impasse, then an interest arbitration panel shall be created to resolve…
RCW 41.56.525 Interest arbitration panel a state agency.
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An interest arbitration panel created pursuant to *RCW 41.56.521, in the performance of its duties under chapter 41.56 RCW, exercises a state function and is, for the purposes of this chapter, a state agency. Chapter 34.05 RCW does not apply to proceedings before an interest arbi…
RCW 41.56.530 Uniformed personnel—Interest arbitration panel—Determinations—Factors to be considered.
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(1) In making its determination, the panel shall be mindful of the legislative purpose enumerated in *RCW 41.56.501 and, as additional standards or guidelines to aid it in reaching a decision, the panel shall consider:(a) The constitutional and statutory authority of the employer…
RCW 41.56.535 Uniformed personnel—Arbitration panel—Rights of parties.
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During the pendency of the proceedings before the arbitration panel, existing wages, hours, and other conditions of employment shall not be changed by action of either party without the consent of the other but a party may so consent without prejudice to his or her rights or posi…
RCW 41.56.540 Uniformed personnel—Refusal to submit to procedures—Invoking jurisdiction of superior court—Contempt.
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If the representative of either or both the uniformed personnel and the public employer refuse to submit to the procedures set forth in *RCW 41.56.511 and 41.56.521, the parties, or the commission on its own motion, may invoke the jurisdiction of the superior court for the county…
RCW 41.56.545 Uniformed employees—Strikes prohibited—Violations—Contempt of court.
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The right of uniformed employees to engage in any strike, work slowdown, or stoppage is not granted. An organization recognized as the bargaining representative of uniformed employees subject to this chapter that willfully disobeys a lawful order of enforcement by a superior cour…
RCW 41.56.560 Uniformed personnel—Application of chapter to Washington state patrol—Bargaining subjects.
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(1) In addition to the entities listed in *RCW 41.56.101, this chapter applies to the state with respect to the officers of the Washington state patrol appointed under RCW 43.43.020, except that the state is prohibited from negotiating any matters relating to retirement benefits …
RCW 41.56.562 Uniformed personnel—Application of chapter to Washington state patrol—Mediation and arbitration.
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In addition to the classes of employees listed in RCW 41.56.030(14), the provisions of *RCW 41.56.501 through 41.56.525 and 41.56.535, 41.56.540, and 41.56.545 also apply to Washington state patrol officers appointed under RCW 43.43.020 as provided in this section, subject to the…
RCW 41.56.565 Fish and wildlife officers—Application of certain uniformed personnel provisions.
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In addition to the classes of employees listed in RCW 41.56.030(14), the provisions of *RCW 41.56.501, 41.56.511, 41.56.521, 41.56.525, 41.56.535, 41.56.540, and 41.56.545 also apply to fish and wildlife officers as provided in this section. If more than one exclusive bargaining …
RCW 41.56.570 Application of uniformed personnel collective bargaining provisions to employees of public passenger transportation systems—Conditions.
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In addition to the classes of employees listed in RCW 41.56.030(14), the provisions of *RCW 41.56.501 through 41.56.525, 41.56.535, 41.56.540, and 41.56.545 shall also be applicable to the employees of a public passenger transportation system of a metropolitan municipal corporati…
RCW 41.56.575 Commercial nuclear plants—Application of chapter to certain employees.
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(1) In order to assure the uninterrupted and dedicated service of employees employed by employees of operators of certain commercial nuclear plants, the provisions of *RCW 41.56.501 through 41.56.535, 41.56.540, and 41.56.545 shall apply to the operating and maintenance employees…
RCW 41.56.900 Short title—Effective date—1967 ex.s. c 108.
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RCW 41.56.010 through 41.56.900 and 41.06.150 shall be known as the "Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act" and shall take effect on July 1, 1967.[ 1967 ex.s. c 108 s 14.]
RCW 41.56.905 Uniformed personnel—Provisions additional—Liberal construction.
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The provisions of this chapter are intended to be additional to other remedies and shall be liberally construed to accomplish their purpose. Except as provided in RCW 53.18.015, 41.58.070, 43.101.095, and 43.101.135, if any provision of this chapter conflicts with any other statu…
RCW 41.56.906 Construction of chapter—Certain agreements subject to RCW 28A.400.320.
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Nothing in this chapter may be construed to grant school district employers or classified school district employees the right to reach agreements that are in conflict with the termination provisions of RCW 28A.400.320.[ 2009 c 396 s 11.]
RCW 41.56.908 Construction—Intent—Subchapter headings and captions not law—2025 c 290.
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It is the intent of the legislature to reorganize chapter 41.56 RCW into subchapters to simplify navigation of the statute. The legislature does not intend to make, and no provision of chapter 290, Laws of 2025 may be construed as making, a substantive change to the provisions of…
RCW 41.56.913 Conflict with federal requirements—2006 c 54.
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If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies dire…
RCW 41.58.005 Intent—Construction.
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(1) It is the intent of the legislature by the adoption of chapter 296, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. to provide, in the area of public employment, for the more uniform and impartial (a) adjustment and settlement of complaints, grievances, and disputes arising out of employer-employ…
RCW 41.58.010 Public employment relations commission—Created—Membership—Terms—Vacancies—Quorum—Report.
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(1) There is hereby created the public employment relations commission (hereafter called the "commission") to administer the provisions of this chapter. Notwithstanding RCW 41.58.100, the commission shall consist of three members who shall be citizens appointed by the governor by…
RCW 41.58.015 Compensation and travel expenses of members—Executive director—Employees.
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(1) Each member of the commission shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.250. Members of the commission shall also be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in the discharge of their official duties on the same basis as is provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.(2) T…
RCW 41.58.020 Powers and duties of commission.
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(1) It shall be the duty of the commission, in order to prevent or minimize interruptions growing out of labor disputes, to assist employers and employees to settle such disputes through mediation and fact-finding.(2) The commission, through the director, may proffer its services…
RCW 41.58.030 Office.
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The principal office of the commission shall be in the city of Olympia, but it may meet and exercise any or all of its powers at any other place in the state.[ 1975 1st ex.s. c 296 s 5.]
RCW 41.58.040 Duties of employers and employees.
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In order to prevent or minimize disruptions to the public welfare growing out of labor disputes, employers and employees and their representatives shall:(1) Exert every reasonable effort to make and maintain agreements concerning rates of pay, hours, and working conditions, inclu…
RCW 41.58.050 Rules and regulations.
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The commission shall have authority from time to time to make, amend, and rescind, in the manner prescribed by the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW, such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 16 s 1…
RCW 41.58.060 State ferry system, which chapter governs.
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For any matter concerning the state ferry system and employee relations, collective bargaining, or labor disputes or stoppages, the provisions of this chapter and chapter 47.64 RCW shall govern. However, if a conflict exists between this chapter and chapter 47.64 RCW, this chapte…
RCW 41.58.070 Law enforcement personnel disciplinary grievance arbitration—Procedures—Effect of collective bargaining agreements—Arbitrator roster.
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(1) For the purposes of this section, the definitions in this subsection have the meanings given them.(a) "Employer" means a political subdivision or law enforcement agency employing law enforcement personnel.(b)(i) "Law enforcement personnel" means:(A) Any individual employed, h…
RCW 41.58.080 Organizing petitions—Electronic signatures.
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(1) For any new organizing petition to form a new bargaining unit of currently unrepresented workers or to add unrepresented workers to an existing bargaining unit, regardless of whether the election is by mail ballot or cross-check, the public employment relations commission mus…
RCW 41.58.090 Organizing petitions—Offer of proof—Existing bargaining units.
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(1) For any new organizing petition to form a new bargaining unit of currently unrepresented workers or to add unrepresented workers to an existing bargaining unit, regardless of whether the election is by mail ballot or cross-check, the public employment relations commission mus…
RCW 41.58.100 Legislative commission—Report—Duties to transfer to commission.
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(1)(a) There is established a legislative commission (hereafter called "the legislative commission") exclusively for the purpose of certification of bargaining representatives, adjusting and settling complaints, grievances, and disputes arising out of employer-employee relations,…
RCW 41.58.110 Hearing dates—Refusal to comply with subpoena.
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(1) The commission or presiding officer may:(a) Set a hearing date without consent from the involved parties so long as the involved parties may submit motions to move the hearing date; and(b) Draw an adverse inference from the refusal of a party to comply with subpoenas issued b…
RCW 41.58.800 Transfer of employees to commission.
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All employees of the department of labor and industries classified under the provisions of chapter 41.06 RCW, the state civil service law, whose positions are entirely concerned with functions transferred to the commission by chapter 296, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. shall be trans…
RCW 41.58.801 Transfer of reports, documents, records, property, etc., funds, appropriations, etc.
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All reports, documents, surveys, books, records, files, papers, or other writings in the possession of the marine employee commission, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the state board for community and technical colleges, and the department of labor and ind…
RCW 41.58.802 Procedure for transfer of budgeted fund or equipment.
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Where transfers of budgeted funds or equipment are required under *this act, the director of financial management shall certify such transfers to the agencies affected, the state auditor and the state treasurer all of whom shall make the appropriate transfer and adjustments in fu…
RCW 41.58.803 Continuation and savings.
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On January 1, 1976, all rules and regulations, and all business pending before the agencies or divisions thereof from whom functions are transferred pursuant to chapter 296, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. and which pertain to such functions shall be continued and acted upon by the co…
RCW 41.59.010 Purpose.
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It is the purpose of this chapter to prescribe certain rights and obligations of the educational employees of the school districts of the state of Washington, and to establish procedures governing the relationship between such employees and their employers which are designed to m…
RCW 41.59.020 Definitions.
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As used in this chapter:(1) The term "employee organization" means any organization, union, association, agency, committee, council, or group of any kind in which employees participate, and which exists for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining with employers…
RCW 41.59.031 Application of chapter to charter schools.
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This chapter applies to any charter school established under chapter 28A.710 RCW. Any bargaining unit or units established at the charter school must be limited to employees working in the charter school and must be separate from other bargaining units in school districts, educat…
RCW 41.59.060 Employee rights enumerated—Employee authorization of membership dues and other payments—Revocation.
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(1) Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist employee organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and shall also have the right to refrain from any or all of such activities.(2)(a) Upon authorization o…