Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Washington House Bill HB1068

Introduced
1/13/25  
Refer
1/13/25  
Report Pass
1/29/25  
Refer
1/31/25  
Report Pass
2/13/25  
Refer
2/18/25  
Engrossed
3/3/25  
Refer
3/5/25  
Report Pass
3/21/25  
Refer
3/24/25  
Report Pass
4/8/25  
Enrolled
4/21/25  
Chaptered
4/25/25  

Caption

Removing the exclusion from interest arbitration of Washington management service employees at the department of corrections.

Impact

The implications of HB 1068 could be significant for employee relations within the Washington state government. By facilitating interest arbitration for management service employees, the bill empowers them to negotiate more effectively over employment conditions, job security, and compensation. This may lead to improved workplace conditions and could also set a precedent for future labor relations policies within the state government, perhaps encouraging other sectors to re-evaluate their labor practices in light of equal rights to arbitration.

Summary

House Bill 1068 seeks to amend existing labor relations statutes by removing the exclusion of Washington management service employees at the Department of Corrections from interest arbitration. This bill aims to enhance the labor rights of these employees, allowing them to engage in arbitration processes that are typically available to other state employees. By eliminating their exclusion, the bill promotes equitable treatment in labor negotiations, aligning the rights of management service employees with their counterparts in other state sectors.

Contention

Despite the apparent benefits of HB 1068, there may also be contention surrounding this bill. Some stakeholders may argue that allowing management service employees access to arbitration could disrupt existing relationships between management and oversight bodies. Critics might express concerns that this change could lead to increased conflict or a fragmentation of the negotiation process, which they believe could have negative repercussions on overall organizational efficiency and morale within the Department of Corrections.

Companion Bills

WA SB5039

Crossfiled Removing the exclusion from interest arbitration of Washington management service employees at the department of corrections.

Previously Filed As

WA HB1066

Making technical corrections and removing obsolete language from the Revised Code of Washington pursuant to RCW 1.08.025.

WA HB1122

Granting Washington management service employees the right to collectively bargain.

WA SB5141

Granting Washington management service employees the right to collectively bargain.

WA HB1429

Prohibiting strikes by employees covered by the educational employment relations act and authorizing interest arbitration.

WA SB5529

Removing the exclusion of certain domestic workers from certain worker protections.

WA SB5808

Granting interest arbitration to certain public safety telecommunicators.

WA SB5419

Removing a Washington state institute of public policy outcome evaluation requirement.

WA SB5087

Removing language from the Revised Code of Washington that has been identified by the justices of the supreme court or judges of the superior courts as defects and omissions in the laws pursuant to Article IV, section 25 of the Washington state Constitution.

WA HB1090

Removing language from the Revised Code of Washington that has been identified by the justices of the supreme court or judges of the superior courts as defects and omissions in the laws pursuant to Article IV, section 25 of the Washington state Constitution.

WA HB2049

Improving Washington's solid waste management outcomes.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.