WA HB2471

Establishes a state collective bargaining framework for private sector employees not covered by the National Labor Relations Act or Railway Labor Act, activating automatically if federal preemption ends or the NLRB declines jurisdiction over specific employers or industries

Grants the Public Employment Relations Commission authority to certify bargaining representatives through card-check (requiring over 50% employee support) or secret ballot elections (requiring 30% showing of interest to trigger)

Requires employers to bargain in good faith with certified unions on wages, hours, and working conditions; disputes unresolved within six months of certification or contract expiration must proceed to binding interest arbitration

Preserves the right to strike except where specifically limited, though health care workers must provide 10 days written notice before work stoppages

Extends union-employee communication privilege protections to labor organizations covered under this chapter and establishes that collective bargaining agreements reached under former federal jurisdiction remain enforceable