Latest Announcements

Spencer Nathan Thal Appointed to the Commission
Spencer Nathan Thal has been appointed to the Commission by Governor Jay Inslee. Spencer has devoted his career to the furtherance of collective bargaining as a means of regulating labor-management relationships and resolving workplace disputes. Spencer has represented public and private sector unions, guilds, and employees in Washington State since 1990 in federal and state courts and before arbitrators, hearing examiners, and administrative agencies.  He served a term as Chair of the Washington State Bar Association Labor and Employment Section, and he has helped establish and present training programs and seminars for union representatives on labor and employment law. Spencer has extensive experience before the Commission. He is a graduate of Oxford University and Columbia Law School. His appointment is effective from October 24, 2018, through September 8, 2023. 

Spencer replaces Mark Brennan whose term ended September 8, 2018.  We thank Mark for his two years of service on the Marine Employees Commission and five years of service on the Public Employment Relations Commission.
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US Supreme Court Ruling in Janus v. AFSCME, Council 31

On June 27, 2018, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in Janus v. AFSCME, Council 31. Read PERC's overview of the decision and its impacts. 

Notice of Petition for Declaratory Order Regarding Limits to Bargaining Compensation for Teachers

Update: The Commission has denied the petition.

On June 29, 2018, Curtis Leonard, Charles Lind, Warren Hopkins, and Amie Brandmire filed with the Public Employment Relations Commission a petition for a declaratory order. The petitioners sought a declaratory order answering the following question:

Whether RCW 41.59.800(1)(a) limits increases generally to the total average certificated instructional staff salaries consistent with the 3.1% CPI [consumer price index] cap, or whether subsection (1)(b) of that law was intended by the Legislature to remove any restrictions on increases to the average total salary for certificated instructional staff in the 2018-19 school year otherwise required by subsection (1)(a), provided that such increases are imbedded in a newly-developed salary schedule?

The petitioners sought this order “on behalf of their client-school districts.” None of these client school districts were specifically identified.

The Commission shall not issue a declaratory order if a necessary party whose rights would be substantially prejudiced does not consent to the determination. WAC 391-08-520(3)(b).

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