Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Decision 13857 (PSRA, 2024)

STATE OF WASHINGTON

BEFORE THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

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

M. Kate Garcia, Assistant Attorney General, Attorney General Robert W. Ferguson, for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

Findings of Fact

1.                  The Washington Federation of State Employees filed a representation petition concerning the Social and Health Program Consultant 3 and 4 employees in the ALTSA - APS Administration at the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. 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 Social and Health Services, Decision 13524 (PSRA, 2022), represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees is described as follows:

All nonsupervisory civil service employees of the Department of Social and Health Services in the following divisions/units: (1) DSHS Office of Appeals; (2) Economic Services Administration; (3) Aging and Adult Services Administration; (4) Medical Assistance Administration; (5) Division of Fraud Investigations; (6) Financial Services Administration; (7) Alcohol and Substance Abuse Division; (8) Information Systems Services Division; (9) Management Services Fiscal Office; (10) Facilities Operations Administration in the Lands and Building Division; (11) Background Check Central Unit; and (12) Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; excluding confidential employees, internal auditors, supervisors, Washington Management Service members, employees excluded by orders of the State Personnel Board and/or Washington Personnel Resources Board that remain in effect, and employees included in any other bargaining unit.

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 Social and Health Program Consultant 3 and 4 employees in the ALTSA- APS Administration for a bargaining unit described as follows:

All nonsupervisory civil service employees of the Department of Social and Health Services in the following divisions/units: (1) DSHS Office of Appeals; (2) Economic Services Administration; (3) Aging and Adult Services Administration; (4) Medical Assistance Administration; (5) Division of Fraud Investigations; (6) Financial Services Administration; (7) Alcohol and Substance Abuse Division; (8) Information Systems Services Division; (9) Management Services Fiscal Office; (10) Facilities Operations Administration in the Lands and Building Division; (11) Background Check Central Unit; and (12) Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; excluding confidential employees, internal auditors, supervisors, Washington Management Service members, employees excluded by orders of the State Personnel Board and/or Washington Personnel Resources Board that remain in effect, and employees included in any other bargaining unit.

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 Social and Health Services Social and Health Program Consultant 3 and 4 employees in the ALTSA - APS Administration 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  28th  day of May, 2024.

PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

Michael P. Sellars, Executive Director