Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes child care center directors and workers to unionize for collective bargaining purposes if they are employed at a center subsidized by the state of Washington and a majority of employees vote in support of unionization in a secret ballot election.

Highlights:

- Requires the state to bargain over subsides and reimbursement, provided that any agreement is consistent with the provisions of any qualified rating and improvement system (Sec. 2). - Authorizes, but does not require, the state to bargain over the following (Sec. 2):

- Funding for professional development and training; - Mechanisms and funding to improve access to health care and other benefit programs; - Other economic support for child care centers; and - Grievance procedures to resolve disputes over the interpretation or application of a collective bargaining agreement.

- Prohibits the state from bargaining over retirement benefits (Sec. 2). - Requires the Public Employment Relations Commission, when determining the units that are affected by a collective bargaining agreement, to include in the same unit all child care centers located in the Department of Social and Health Services region, and authorizes the commission to group together regions to minimize the number of units (Sec. 2). - Specifies that the provisions of this Act do not apply to child care centers that are operated by the following (Sec. 3):

- Another unit of government other than the state of Washington; - Individual, partnership, profit or nonprofit corporation, or other entity that operates ten or more child care centers statewide; or - Local nonprofit organization who pays membership dues or assessments to a national organization with more than $3 million in membership dues and assessments annually or a regional council that is affiliated with a national organization with more than 200 affiliates.

- This is a substitute bill sponsored by the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Full Bill Text