issue area reports | employment & labor law
SSB 6393 concerning cannabis industry workplace standards
Failed / AWB Opposed
Substitute Senate Bill 6393 , sponsored Sen . Steve Conway , D-Tacoma , would have modified several aspects of the marijuana business license . This bill would establish a point threshold that marijuana licensees must meet to renew a license . The point system would require the business to adopt certain business practices , employee benefits , and policies including labor peace agreements and collective bargaining agreements ( CBA ) to remain open . While this bill was touted as a safety bill , those provisions only equaled 20 points , but CBA and labor peace agreements equaled 65 points combined .
( The House bill ’ s point system would have awarded 100 points to those companies having labor peace agreements and CBAs .) AWB has traditionally opposed legislation when it restricts access to some businesses because of labor agreements . The companion bill was House Bill 2361 , sponsored by Rep . Strom Peterson , D-Edmonds . AWB opposed both bills .
SB 6096 preventing disruption of certain state-financed and procured services due to labor unrest within contracted service providers
Passed / AWB Neutral
Senate Bill 6096 , sponsored by Sen . Karen Keiser , D-Kent , requires that certain contracts between the Department of
Social and Health Services and private contractors must contain assurances that the contracted services will not be disrupted or delayed by economic or industrial action . While this bill was similar to previous bills introduced in 2019 it did eliminate the references to labor peace agreements . By removing this provision and making the reequipments subject to a contract , AWB was able to be neutral on the bill .
E2SSB 6261 strengthening the farm labor contractor system by removing an exemption for nonprofits , prohibiting retaliation and the use of farm labor contractors in certain circumstances , and establishing liability for related violations
Passed / AWB Neutral
Sen . Curtis King , R-Yakima , is the ranking member of both the Senate Transportation and Labor & Commerce committees .
Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6261 , sponsored by Sen . John McCoy , D-Tulalip , removes the nonprofit organization exemption from the application of the farm labor contractor laws . The bill further modifies the definition of “ agricultural employee ” to include a person who has rendered personal services in connection with an employer ’ s agricultural activities . Early versions of the bill expanded the actions prohibited as retaliation by farm labor contractors and agricultural employers against their employees . This included contractors ’ and employers ’ agents ; and prohibited these actions against former employees . AWB opposed the original bill as introduced and was neutral on the bill as amended as passed .
Bill considered as part of AWB ’ s voting record
Favorable outcome for Washington businesses
Missed Opportunities
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