Latest News - May 2015

May 26, 2015
Washington Senate Advances Bill to Open Labor Contract Negotiations to Public
Source: NORTHWEST PUBLIC RADIO
By: ASHLEY STEWART

State Senators advanced a bill to increase transparency in Washington labor contract negotiations Tuesday.

Under current law, Gov. Jay Inslee and the state Office of Financial Management negotiate contracts in secret, then lawmakers decide whether to approve them.

Republican Senator John Braun is sponsoring a bill to change that.

It would open bargaining agreements to the public before they are approved.

He says it will speed up the process.

“I think that’s a reasonable ask that we open up the doors and we get at a better chance of understanding and coming to agreement in a reasonable time,” says Braun.

The bill was heard today in the Senate Ways and Means committee.

It passed, despite Democrats speaking out against the bill.

They said it threatens the collective bargaining process and should not be a priority.

Lawmakers have until the specials session ends on Thursday to advance the bill further.