DECISIONS

University of Washington, Decision 12838-A (PECB, 2018)

STATE OF WASHINGTON

BEFORE THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

Paul Drachler, Jacob Metzger, and Martha Barron, Attorneys at Law, Douglas Drachler, McKee & Gilbrough, LLP, for the petitioner, UW Postdocs United/International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, Local Union 4121.

Jennifer K. Schubert, Assistant Attorney General, Attorney General Robert W. Ferguson, for the employer, University of Washington.

FINDINGS OF FACT

1.                  The above-named petitioner filed with the Public Employment Relations Commission a petition for investigation of a question concerning representation of employees of the above-named employer.  The petition was timely filed and was accompanied by a showing of interest which was administratively determined by the Commission to be sufficient.

2.         Following an investigation conference, the Commission proceeded with determination of the question concerning representation, and issues framed concerning the eligibility of certain employees for inclusion in the bargaining unit were reserved for subsequent determination.

3.         These representation proceedings were conducted by the Commission in the bargaining unit described as:

All postdoctoral employees as defined by RCW 41.56.513 employed by the University of Washington, excluding confidential employees, employees covered by Chapter 41.76 RCW, and all other employees.

4.         All proceedings were conducted under the supervision of the Commission in a manner designed to afford the affected employees a free choice in the selection of a bargaining representative, if any; a tally of the results was previously furnished to the parties and is attached hereto; the reserved eligibility issues do not affect the outcome of the question concerning representation; and no meritorious objections have been filed with respect to these proceedings.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

1.         The unit described in paragraph 3 of the foregoing Findings of Fact is an appropriate unit for the purposes of collective bargaining within the meaning of RCW 41.56.060.

2.         All conditions precedent to issuance of an interim certification have been met.

CERTIFIED

1.         The employees of the above-named employer in the appropriate bargaining unit described in paragraph 3 of the foregoing Findings of Fact have chosen:

UW POSTDOCS UNITED/INTERNATIONAL UNION, UNITED AUTOMOBILE, AEROSPACE AND AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WORKERS OF AMERICA, LOCAL UNION 4121

as their exclusive bargaining representative for the purpose of collective bargaining with their employer.

2.         The above-captioned matter is remanded for further proceedings on the eligibility issues reserved as described in paragraph 2 of the foregoing Findings of Fact.

Issued at Olympia, Washington, this  22nd  day of May, 2018.

                                                            PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

                                                            MICHAEL P. SELLARS, Executive Director