Pierce County, Decision 13268 (PECB, 2020)

STATE OF WASHINGTON

BEFORE THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

Herb Harris, Coordinator of PERC Activities, for the Washington Federation of State Employees.

Andrew L. Logerwell, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, for Pierce County.

Findings of Fact

1.                  The Washington Federation of State Employees filed a representation petition concerning the Investigator/Process Server 1 & 2 job classes at Piece County. The Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) determined the petition was timely filed and accompanied by a sufficient showing of interest. No other organization claimed to represent the employees involved.

2.                  The existing bargaining unit, last certified in Pierce County, Decision 13207-A (PECB, 2020), represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees is described as follows:

All full-time and regular part-time nonsupervisory employees in the Crime Victim Advocates, Legal Assistants 1, 2, 3, & 4, Legal Interviewers, and Paralegals 1 & 2 job classes at the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, excluding supervisors, confidential employees, and all other employees.

3.                  Because the more than 50 percent showing of interest threshold was met, PERC conducted card check proceedings. The employees were given a free choice in the proceedings. The tally of results was provided to the parties. No meritorious election objections have been filed.

4.                  The existing bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees shall be modified to include the Investigator/Process Server 1 & 2 job classes for a bargaining unit described as follows:

All full-time and regular part-time nonsupervisory employees in the Crime Victim Advocates, Legal Assistants 1, 2, 3, & 4, Legal Interviewers, Paralegals 1 & 2, and Investigator/Process Server 1 & 2 job classes at the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, excluding supervisors, confidential employees, and all other employees.

Conclusions of Law

1.                  The unit described in finding of fact 4 is an appropriate unit within the meaning of RCW 41.56.060.

2.                  Representation proceedings were conducted in accordance with RCW 41.56.070 and chapter 391‑25 WAC.

certification

Pierce County Investigator/Process Server 1 & 2 employees in the bargaining unit described in finding of fact 4 have chosen

washington federation of state employees

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

ISSUED at Olympia, Washington, this  8th  day of December, 2020.

PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

Michael P. Sellars, Executive Director