Unions

Classified employees in the state of Washington have the right to join unions and to negotiate certain working conditions. Specific rights are covered in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) laws for state collective bargaining listed in RCW Chapter 41.80.

If a union is certified as the exclusive representative of a group of employees, it represents all employees certified in to that Bargaining Unit throughout WSU. The exclusive representative (union) has the authority and the exclusive right to negotiate with WSU management on represented positions’ hours, wages, and other terms and conditions of employment. Once exclusively represented by a union, the legal power of each employee in the Bargaining Unit to individually negotiate terms and conditions of employment is transferred to the union, and the union becomes the agent for all employees in the positions in the Bargaining Unit. Once a union represents a position, any potential wage changes would be determined through the collective bargaining process.

For more information on the Representation process visit our Representation FAQs.

There are currently four unions representing employees at WSU:

1. Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE)
2. International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
3. United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Workers of America
4. Washington State University Police Guild

Labor negotiations for the Contracts occur every two years, corresponding with the biennium. Negotiations occur between WSU and the union. They normally begin in the spring of every even year in order to be submitted to the state by the statutory deadline of October 1 of the same year.

Ongoing Contracts are effective from July 1 through June 30 (two fiscal years) and require legislative approval before implementation.

WSU and the union are required to meet at reasonable times to negotiate in good faith, over wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. Neither WSU nor the union is required to agree to any specific proposal or make any specific concession.

RCW 41.80.020 defines several topics that are mandatory for collective bargaining. These include: wages, hours and terms and conditions of employment RCW 41.80.040 identifies topics not subject to collective bargaining. The employer shall not bargain over rights of management which, in addition to all powers, duties, and rights established by constitutional provision or statute, shall include but not be limited to the following:

• The functions and programs of the employer, the use of technology, and the structure of the organization;
• The employer’s budget and the size of the agency workforce, including determining the financial basis for layoffs;
• The right to direct and supervise employees
• The right to take whatever actions are deemed necessary to carry out the mission of the state and its agencies during emergencies; and
• Retirement plans and retirement benefits.

Each union has its own constitution, or rules that establish the manner in which they select their table team to negotiate Contracts on behalf of represented employees.

No. These matters are part of the negotiations process between WSU and any union certified to represent a unit of WSU employees.

Yes, the law allows the unions and the state/state agencies to negotiate union security in RCW 41.80.100.

No. Each union determines the amount of dues and fees, and can inform employees about their current dues structure. Inquiries about union dues and fee structures should be directed to the union.

There is no way to predict this. Some Contracts have been negotiated in a matter of days while others have taken several months to complete. In some cases, negotiations have taken more than a year.

WSU pays for WSU expenses, and the union pays for union expenses.

If the parties cannot reach agreement, state law provides the ability for parties to request Contract mediation from the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC).

Contract mediation is an extension of the parties’ duty to negotiate a Contract concerning a Bargaining Unit’s wages, hours and working conditions. When public employers and employees’ representatives are unable to agree on the terms of a written contract establishing the wages, hours and working conditions of Bargaining Unit employees, PERC provides mediation to help the parties reach an agreement.

The PERC is an independent state agency responsible for resolving disputes involving most public employers and employees, and the unions that represent those employees. For more information visit the PERC website.

If an agreement is reached in collective bargaining negotiations between WSU and the union for a group of employees, it is called a Tentative Agreement or T.A. because it is not put into effect until each side has ratified (or voted to approve) it.

The Regents of the Washington State University ratify for WSU and union members vote to ratify for the union.

Each union has its own constitution, or rules that establish who is eligible to vote on the ratification of a Contract. Inquiries regarding the ability to participate in the ratification of a Contract are to be directed to the representing union.

Once the Contract has been ratified and signed by both WSU and the union, they are sent to the Office of Financial Management at the State.

Once the Contracts have been submitted to the Office of Financial Management at the State, the Governors office reviews them to determine if they are financially feasible and if they will be included in the Governors proposed budget to the Legislature. If the Legislature chooses to fund the Contracts, the provisions will be implemented July 1.

If the Legislature does not fund the Contracts, WSU and the union will return to the table to re-negotiate.

Electronic copies of the Contracts are available on this website. In addition, if you want a printed copy it is to be requested from your exclusive bargaining representative.

If you have additional or specific questions not addressed above, you may contact:

WSU Contacts:

Labor Relations Office
(509) 335-1982
hrs.labor@wsu.edu

Human Resources Consultant assigned to your area.

Union Contacts:

• Washington State Employees of Washington (WFSE) Union Representatives
• WSU Police Guild (Police Guild) Union Representatives
• International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Union Representatives
• United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Workers of America