AGO Opinion Topics: COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

An educational service district created pursuant to Chapter 28A.21 RCW is a political subdivision within the meaning of RCW 41.56.020, and therefore, the public employees collective bargaining act contained in Chapter 41.56 RCW is applicable to the employees of such a district.

The Washington State Personnel Board has the statutory authority under RCW 41.06.150 to promulgate rules defining and excluding "executive management," "supervisors" and "individuals regularly privy to confidential matters affecting the employer-employee relationship" from the right to bargain collectively with their appointing authorities, as it does currently under merit system rules 356-06-010 and 356-42-010(2).