• A complaint is reviewed to determine whether it alleges a violation under PERC’s authority and a ruling is issued generally within 30 days after filing.

• If it is determined to be under PERC’s authority, an assignment letter is sent to the parties and an Examiner contacts the parties generally within 2 weeks to schedule a hearing.

• The hearing is scheduled based on the availability of the parties.

• It generally takes a court reporter 15 – 30 days to prepare a written transcript of the hearing following the close of the hearing, depending on the number of hearing days.

• The parties generally have 30 days to file closing briefs to Examiner following completion of the written transcript.

• PERC will typically issue a written decision 90 days after the closing briefs are filed.

A hearing is similar to a trial before a judge. The PERC Examiner acts as an Administrative Law Judge. Parties must provide evidence through testimony of witnesses and exhibits regarding the disputed issues.

After the hearing, PERC will issue a written decision based on the evidence presented at the hearing. A decision is typically issued 90 days after the closing briefs are filed. PERC staff cannot provide any information about the content of a decision until it is officially issued. Once issued, the decision is mailed to the parties on the case and posted on the PERC website: perc.wa.gov.

It is illegal for a public employer or union to retaliate against a public employee who files a complaint or gives testimony at a PERC hearing.