Collective bargaining — Occasion for election of representative.
RCW 49.37.050
in effect(1)(a) Upon request of a prospective bargaining representative showing written proof of at least 30 percent representation of the employees within the unit, the commission shall hold an election by ballot to determine the issue. (b) The ballot must contain the name of the prospective bargaining representative and of any other bargaining representative showing written proof of at least 10 percent representation of the employees within the unit, together with a choice for any employee to designate that they do not desire to be represented by any bargaining representative. (c) Where more than one organization is on the ballot and neither of the three or more choices receives a majority vote of valid ballots cast, a runoff election must be held. The runoff ballot must contain the two choices which received the largest and second largest number of votes. (2)(a) Upon request of a prospective bargaining representative showing written proof of at least 50 percent representation of the employees within a bargaining unit for which there is no incumbent exclusive bargaining representative, the commission shall hold an election through a cross-check process to determine the issue. (b) The commission must compare the employee organization's membership records or bargaining authorization cards against the employment records of the employer.
(1)(a) Upon request of a prospective bargaining representative showing written proof of at least 30 percent representation of the employees within the unit, the commission shall hold an election by ballot to determine the issue.
(b) The ballot must contain the name of the prospective bargaining representative and of any other bargaining representative showing written proof of at least 10 percent representation of the employees within the unit, together with a choice for any employee to designate that they do not desire to be represented by any bargaining representative.
(c) Where more than one organization is on the ballot and neither of the three or more choices receives a majority vote of valid ballots cast, a runoff election must be held. The runoff ballot must contain the two choices which received the largest and second largest number of votes.
(2)(a) Upon request of a prospective bargaining representative showing written proof of at least 50 percent representation of the employees within a bargaining unit for which there is no incumbent exclusive bargaining representative, the commission shall hold an election through a cross-check process to determine the issue.
(b) The commission must compare the employee organization's membership records or bargaining authorization cards against the employment records of the employer.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.37&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026