Concerning comparison factors that must be considered in interest arbitration for correctional employees regarding wages, hours, and conditions of employment.

HB 2622 requires arbitrators to consider specific factors when resolving wage, hour, and working condition disputes for Washington Department of Corrections employees (excluding confidential staff and internal auditors) through interest arbitration. Key provisions mandate that arbitrators evaluate the department’s financial ability to pay, compare wages/hours/conditions to similar correctional workers in other western U.S. state employers and Washington local governments, assess retention needs, and review current total compensation (including benefits and paid time off). This law aims to standardize arbitration outcomes by focusing on regional pay benchmarks and operational realities. The bill amends existing law (RCW 41.80.200) to formalize these comparison requirements during dispute resolution.