Kitsap Public Health District, Decision 13632 (PECB, 2023)

STATE OF WASHINGTON

BEFORE THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

Brent Wagar, Union Representative, for PROTEC17.

Jacquelyn M. Aufderheide, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, for Kitsap County.

Findings of Fact

1.                  PROTEC17 filed a representation petition concerning the Epidemiologist job class at the Kitsap Public Health District. 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 Bremerton-Kitsap Health Department, Decision 2453 (PECB, 1986) represented by PROTEC17 is described as follows:

All full-time and regular part-time non-supervisory employees of the Kitsap Public Health District in the following job classifications: Custodian; Custodian/Maintenance; Community Health Worker; Heath Services Worker; Licensed Practical Nurse 1 and 2; Social Worker 1, 2, and 3; Disease Intervention Specialist; Public Health Educator; Community Liaison; Outreach & Education Coordinator; Laboratory Assistant; Laboratory Specialist; Clinic Practitioner 1/PA; Information Technology Specialists 1, 2, 3, and 4. Excluding confidential employees, supervisory employees, employees in other bargaining units, 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.

4.                  The existing bargaining unit represented by PROTEC17 shall be modified to include the Epidemiologist job class for a bargaining unit described as follows:

All full-time and regular part-time non-supervisory employees of the Kitsap Public Health District in the following job classifications: Custodian; Custodian/Maintenance; Community Health Worker; Heath Services Worker; Licensed Practical Nurse 1 and 2; Social Worker 1, 2, and 3; Disease Intervention Specialist; Public Health Educator; Community Liaison; Outreach & Education Coordinator; Laboratory Assistant; Laboratory Specialist; Clinic Practitioner 1/PA; Information Technology Specialists 1, 2, 3, and 4; Epidemiologist 1 and 2. Excluding confidential employees, supervisory employees, employees in other bargaining units, 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 41.56.095 and chapter 391‑25 WAC.

certification

Kitsap Public Health District Epidemiologist employees in the bargaining unit described in finding of fact 4 have chosen

PROTEC17

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

ISSUED at Olympia, Washington, this  16th  day of February, 2023.

PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

Michael P. Sellars, Executive Director