As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions in this section shall apply.

(1) "Collective bargaining representative" means the persons designated by the governor and employee organizations to be the exclusive representatives during collective bargaining negotiations.

(2) "Commission" means the public employment relations commission created in RCW 41.58.010.

(3) "Department of transportation" means the department as defined in RCW 47.01.021.

(4) "Employer" means the state of Washington.

(5) "Executive director" means the executive director of the commission.

(6) "Ferry employee" means any employee of the marine transportation division of the department of transportation who is a member of a collective bargaining unit represented by a ferry employee organization and does not include an exempt employee pursuant to RCW 41.06.079.

(7) "Ferry employee organization" means any labor organization recognized to represent a collective bargaining unit of ferry employees.

(8) "Lockout" means the refusal of the employer to furnish work to ferry employees in an effort to get ferry employee organizations to make concessions during collective bargaining, grievance, or other labor relation negotiations. Curtailment of employment of ferry employees due to lack of work resulting from a strike or work stoppage shall not be considered a lockout.

(9) "Office of financial management" means the office as created in RCW 43.41.050.

(10) "Strike or work stoppage" means a ferry employee's refusal, in concerted action with others, to report to duty, or his or her willful absence from his or her position, or his or her stoppage or slowdown of work, or his or her abstinence in whole or in part from the full, faithful, and proper performance of the duties of employment, for the purpose of inducing, influencing, or coercing a change in conditions, compensation, rights, privileges, or obligations of his, her, or any other ferry employee's employment. A refusal, in good faith, to work under conditions which pose an endangerment to the health and safety of ferry employees or the public, as determined by the master of the vessel, shall not be considered a strike for the purposes of this chapter.

Effective date—2011 1st sp.s. c 16 ss 16-25: See note following RCW 41.58.060.

Transfer of powers, duties, and functions—2011 1st sp.s. c 16: See note following RCW 41.58.060.

Prospective application—Savings—2006 c 164: "(1) This act applies prospectively only and not retroactively. It applies to collective bargaining agreements, the negotiations of collective bargaining agreements, mediations, arbitrations, and other actions under this act that arise or are commenced on or after March 21, 2006.

(2) This act does not apply to collective bargaining agreements, either in effect or for which the negotiations have begun, or mediations and arbitrations that arose or commenced under *this chapter before March 21, 2006. Such collective bargaining agreements and related proceedings must be administered in accordance with the authorities, rules, and procedures that were established under *this chapter as it existed before March 21, 2006. The repealers in section 19 of this act do not affect any existing right acquired, or liability or obligation incurred, under the statutes repealed or under any rule or order adopted under those statutes, nor do they affect any proceeding instituted under them." [ 2006 c 164 s 16.]

*Reviser's note: The term "this chapter" apparently refers to chapter 47.64 RCW.

Effective dates—2006 c 164: "Except for section 10 of this act which takes effect July 1, 2006, this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 21, 2006]." [ 2006 c 164 s 21.]