On March 21, 2001, Washington State Council of County and City Employees filed a petition for investigation of a question concerning representation with the Public Employment Relations Commission, involving certain employees of Cowlitz County. As a result of preliminary processing of the petition, the Commission determined the question concerning representation, and issues concerning the eligibility of certain employees for inclusion in the bargaining unit were reserved for subsequent determination. The tally indicated that Washington State Council of County and City Employees was entitled to certification in the matter, and that the reserved eligibility issues were not of a sufficient number to affect the outcome of the proceedings.

An interim certification was issued in this matter, as Cowlitz County, Decision 7425 (PECB, 2001), for the bargaining unit described as:

ALL FULL-TIME AND REGULAR PART-TIME EMPLOYEES OF THE COWLITZ COUNTY WATER/SEWER DEPARTMENT, EXCLUDING SUPERVISORS, CONFIDENTIAL EMPLOYEES AND ALL OTHER EMPLOYEES.

The proceeding was held open to resolve the eligibility disputes previously framed by the parties.

Prior to issuance of a decision on the eligibility issues, the parties resolved their differences. It therefore appears that all issues that could properly be addressed in this representation proceeding have been resolved, and that no further proceedings are necessary.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is

ORDERED

1.         The interim certification issued in this matter will stand as the final certification in this representation proceeding.

2.         The above-captioned matter is CLOSED.

Issued at Olympia, Washington, on the 13th day of September, 2001.

PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

[SIGNED]

MARVIN L. SCHURKE, Executive Director