SB 5119 — Summary
Overview
- Purpose: Expand collective bargaining rights to certain student employees enrolled in academic or certificate programs at four public higher education institutions in Washington (Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Western Washington University, The Evergreen State College).
- Intent: Create a dedicated bargaining framework for this group, including scope, unit composition, and compensation parameters, while maintaining key public-budget constraints.
- Status and timeline: Prefiled 12/27/2024; first reading 1/13/2025; referred to Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce. Public hearing scheduled for 1/27/2025 at 10:30 AM. An emergency clause takes effect immediately upon enactment.
What the bill would do (Key Provisions)
- New coverage under RCW 41.56
- Extends the chapter to all employees who are enrolled in an academic or certificate program on any campus of:
- Central Washington University
- Eastern Washington University
- Western Washington University
- The Evergreen State College
- Enrollment status during breaks
- An employee is considered enrolled for purposes of bargaining during campus academic breaks (winter, spring, summer) if they remain employed by the institution through the break and are enrolled in a program in the term immediately before or after the break.
- Definition of “employee”
- Excludes workers already eligible for collective bargaining under specified RCW sections (RCW 41.56.021, 41.56.0215, 41.56.022, 41.56.024, 41.56.203, 41.56.205 or chapters 28B.52, 41.76, 41.80).
- The bill clarifies who is not included in this new category.
- Bargaining unit
- The bargaining unit for these employees is the single unit of all employees covered by this section.
- The unit is not appropriate if it spans more than one institution; i.e., cross-institution bargaining units are not allowed.
- Scope of bargaining
- Excludes:
- Termination of employment for not meeting academic requirements (as determined by the respective institution)
- Tuition or fees (though tuition remission/waivers remain within scope)
- The academic calendar
- The number of students admitted to a class or class section
- Compensation provisions:
- Generally limited to amounts or percentages established by the legislature in the appropriations act
- If a compensation provision is affected by changes to the appropriations act, both parties must bargain immediately to replace the provision
- Institutions may provide additional compensation to student employees that exceeds the legislature’s provisions
Effective date and emergency
- The bill includes an emergency clause, making it effective immediately upon enactment.
Who is affected
- Employees: Student employees enrolled in degree or certificate programs at the four named institutions who are concurrently employed by the institution during breaks and meet enrollment criteria.
- Institutions: Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Western Washington University, The Evergreen State College, and their existing collective bargaining frameworks.
- State government: Legislative caps on compensation apply unless modified through the bargaining process following changes in appropriations.
Procedural notes
- The bill’s progression includes a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce (scheduled), with the first reading and referral already completed.
- If enacted, the changes would add a new subsection to RCW 41.56 and declare an immediate need for public peace, health, or safety to justify the emergency clause.
