Section 391-35-020. Time for filing petition—Limitations on results of proceedings.

TIMELINESS OF PETITION

(1) A unit clarification petition may be filed at any time, with regard to:

(a) Disputes concerning positions which have been newly created by an employer.

(b) Disputes concerning the allocation of employees or positions claimed by two or more bargaining units.

(c) Disputes under WAC 391-35-300 concerning a requirement for a professional education certificate.

(d) Disputes under WAC 391-35-310 concerning eligibility for interest arbitration.

(e) Disputes under WAC 391-35-320 concerning status as a confidential employee.

(f) Disputes under WAC 391-35-330 concerning one-person bargaining units.

(2) A unit clarification petition concerning status as a supervisor under WAC 391-35-340, or status as a regular part-time or casual employee under WAC 391-35-350, is subject to the following conditions:

(a) The signing of a collective bargaining agreement will not bar the processing of a petition filed by a party to the agreement, if the petitioner can demonstrate that it put the other party on notice during negotiations that it would contest the inclusion or exclusion of the position or class through a unit clarification proceeding, and it filed the petition prior to signing the current collective bargaining agreement.

(b) Except as provided under subsection (2)(a) of this section, the existence of a valid written and signed collective bargaining agreement will bar the processing of a petition filed by a party to the agreement unless the petitioner can demonstrate, by specific evidence, substantial changed circumstances during the term of the agreement which warrant a modification of the bargaining unit by inclusion or exclusion of a position or class.

LIMITATIONS ON RESULTS OF PROCEEDINGS

(3) Employees or positions may be removed from an existing bargaining unit in a unit clarification proceeding filed within a reasonable time period after a change of circumstances altering the community of interest of the employees or positions.

(4) Employees or positions may be added to an existing bargaining unit in a unit clarification proceeding:

(a) Where a petition is filed within a reasonable time period after a change of circumstances altering the community of interest of the employees or positions; or

(b) Where the existing bargaining unit is the only appropriate unit for the employees or positions.

(5) Except as provided under subsection (4) of this section, a question concerning representation will exist under chapter 391-25 WAC, and an order clarifying bargaining unit will not be issued under chapter 391-35 WAC:

(a) Where a unit clarification petition is not filed within a reasonable time period after creation of new positions.

(b) Where employees or positions have been excluded from a bargaining unit by agreement of the parties or by a certification, and a unit clarification petition is not filed within a reasonable time period after a change of circumstances.

(c) Where addition of employees or positions to a bargaining unit would create a doubt as to the ongoing majority status of the exclusive bargaining representative.

(6) Where a petitioning union seeks severance of a portion of an existing bargaining unit of classified employees at a school district or educational service district, appropriate bargaining units existing on July 25, 2005, may not be divided into more than one appropriate bargaining unit without the agreement of the employer and certified bargaining representative of the unit where severance is sought.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.52.080, 41.56.090, 41.58.050, 41.59.110, 41.76.060, 41.80.070. WSR 08-04-058, § 391-35-020, filed 1/31/08, effective 4/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.52.080, 41.56.090, 41.59.110, 41.58.050, 34.05.413, 41.56.060 and 41.59.080. WSR 01-14-009, § 391-35-020, filed 6/22/01, effective 8/1/01; WSR 96-07-105, § 391-35-020, filed 3/20/96, effective 4/20/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.58.050, 28B.52.080, 41.56.090, 41.59.110 and chapters 28B.52, 41.56, 41.58, 41.59, 49.08 and 53.18 RCW. WSR 90-06-073, § 391-35-020, filed 3/7/90, effective 4/7/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.52.080, 41.58.050, 41.56.090 and 41.59.110. WSR 88-12-061 (Order 88-03), § 391-35-020, filed 5/31/88.]

RCW 28B.52.080, 41.56.090, 41.58.050, 41.59.110, 41.76.060, 41.80.070. WSR 08-04-058, § 391-35-020, filed 1/31/08, effective 4/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.52.080, 41.56.090, 41.59.110, 41.58.050, 34.05.413, 41.56.060 and 41.59.080. WSR 01-14-009, § 391-35-020, filed 6/22/01, effective 8/1/01; WSR 96-07-105, § 391-35-020, filed 3/20/96, effective 4/20/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.58.050, 28B.52.080, 41.56.090, 41.59.110 and chapters 28B.52, 41.56, 41.58, 41.59, 49.08 and 53.18 RCW. WSR 90-06-073, § 391-35-020, filed 3/7/90, effective 4/7/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.52.080, 41.58.050, 41.56.090 and 41.59.110. WSR 88-12-061 (Order 88-03), § 391-35-020, filed 5/31/88.

Rules

391-35-300,391-35-310,391-35-320,391-35-330,391-35-340,391-35-350,391-25,391-35,