Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, Decision 13621 (PSRA, 2023)

STATE OF WASHINGTON

BEFORE THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

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

Tanya Aho, Labor Negotiator, Office of Financial Management, for the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.

Findings of Fact

1.                  The Washington Federation of State Employees filed a representation petition concerning employees of the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems. 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 bargaining unit is described as follows:

All permanent and nonpermanent, nonsupervisory civil service employees in the Retirement Specialist job class; excluding supervisors, WMS employees, 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 were filed.

Conclusions of Law

1.                  The unit described in finding of fact 2 is an appropriate unit within the meaning of RCW 41.80.070.

2.                  Representation proceedings were conducted in accordance with RCW 41.80.135 and chapter 391‑25 WAC.

certification

Washington State Department of Retirement Systems employees in the bargaining unit described in finding of fact 2 have chosen

Washington federation of state employees

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

ISSUED at Olympia, Washington, this  19th  day of January, 2023.

PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

Michael P. Sellars, Executive Director