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Panel divides over expanding binding interest arbitration to corrections staff

Washington State Senate Labor and Workplace Standards Committee · February 18, 2026

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Summary

Substitute SB 59-72 would remove a 70,000-population threshold so corrections employees in smaller jurisdictions gain access to binding interest arbitration; unions argued the change corrects inequity, while counties and city officials warned of substantial fiscal impacts and sought statutory guardrails.

The committee took testimony on substitute Senate Bill 59-72 on Feb. 18, which would eliminate a population threshold that currently limits access to binding interest arbitration for corrections employees employed by city or county jails. Proponents said the change is an equity fix; county and local-government representatives warned of fiscal pressure.

Michael Rainey (AFSCME Council 2) said removing the 70,000-population threshold ensures corrections employees in smaller jurisdictions receive the same bargaining remedy given to other public-safety groups. Carl Keller (Teamsters Local 760), a former corrections officer, described stark pay disparities between municipal and county jails in his region and urged passage.

Opponents including the Washington State Association of Counties and municipal officials said expanding binding arbitration would increase labor costs for many smaller counties and cities at a time of tight budgets. Travis Dutton (Washington State Association of Counties) asked for two amendments that parallel state corrections statute: (1) require arbitrators to consider the financial ability of the county to pay and (2) make arbitrator awards nonbinding on a county legislative authority's appropriations decision. Jay Arnold (Kirkland City Council) said costs could reach roughly $300,000 for his city and warned closures or reliance on county jails could cause regional operational problems.

The committee closed the public hearing; no vote was recorded in the transcript.