Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, Decision 13835 (PSRA, 2024)

STATE OF WASHINGTON

BEFORE THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

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

J. Shawn Horlacher, Assistant Attorney General, Attorney General Robert W. Ferguson, for the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.

Findings of Fact

1.                  The Washington Federation of State Employees filed a representation petition concerning the Customer Service Specialists 2 at 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 existing bargaining unit, last certified in Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, Decision 13621 (PSRA, 2023), represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees 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.

4.                  The existing bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees shall be modified to include the Customer Service Specialists 2 for a bargaining unit described as follows:

All permanent and nonpermanent, nonsupervisory civil service employees in the Retirement Specialist and Customer Service Specialist 2 job classes; excluding supervisors, WMS employees, 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 41.80.070.

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

certification

Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Customer Service Specialists 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  14th  day of May, 2024.

PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

Michael P. Sellars, Executive Director