EXECUTIVE
ORDER EO 71-04
The role of employee organizations in the total personnel operation and more specifically in the area of collective bargaining is a matter of growing concern to management in the field of public employment. From time to time, I, as Governor, and some agency directors have issued statements on various aspects of labor management relations in the state service. It is the purpose of this document, issued as an Executive Order applicable to all units of state government under my jurisdiction, to outline the labor management relations policy of this administration. This state, as an employer has an enviable record of employee-employer relations. I intend that this record be maintained.
I. The Role of the Office of the Governor
The Office of the Governor has an open door policy which it will continue to maintain in meeting with representatives of employee organizations and agencies to discuss matters of mutual concern. Such meetings will be held either at the initiation of this office or upon request of the employee organizations or agencies for the purpose of discussing:
A. All personnel matters not resolved at the agency level which matters are administratively within the discretion of the agencies and/or this office.B. Proposed actions by this office or policies established by this office, the implementation of which affect conditions of employment.C. Proposals on personnel policies and/or procedures submitted to the State Personnel Board for its consideration and action by either the agencies or the employee organizations.Proposals affecting conditions of employment under consideration for submission to the legislature by either this administration or the employee organizations.E. Other matters of mutual concern.It is not the intent of this office to intervene during application of the State Personnel Board established procedures for the conduct of collective bargaining, mediation, arbitration and application or interpretation of existing collective bargaining agreements except as part of the management team.
II. The Role of the Agencies
Maintenance of sound labor relations within the agencies requires positive action on the part of all members of management. Agencies will discuss proposed changes in employee's working conditions with the representatives of the employee organizations involved. Such discussions should be sufficiently in advance of the targeted implementation dates that reasonable alternative proposals can be adequately considered.
It is my belief that rigorous adherence to this policy is not only required by considerations of fair and equitable treatment, but also provides a significant assist tot he achievement of the overall program objectives of the agencies.It is essential that maximum communication be maintained at all times between agency heads, their authorized representatives, and the employees and their authorized representatives. To facilitate this, management representatives should at all reasonable times hold themselves available for this purpose and shall take positive steps to insure the right of employees and/or their authorized representatives to met with management representatives without obstructions and delay. Rights of Employees and Role of Employee Organizations
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand and caused
the seal of the State
of Washington to be
affixed at Olympia
this 3rd day of September
A.D., Nineteen hundred and seventy-one.
DANIEL J. EVANS
Governor of Washington
BY THE GOVERNOR:
_________________________________
Secretary of State
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