50.44.055 - Finding -- Intent -- Reasonable assurance, application to employees of educational institutions.

Finding — Intent — Reasonable assurance, application to employees of educational institutions.

The legislature finds the interests of the state and its citizens are best served by a strong community and technical college system. As described by their establishing legislation, these two-year institutions are an independent, unique, and vital section of our state's higher education system, separate from both the common school system and other institutions of higher education. Paramount to that system's success is the attraction and retention of qualified instructors. In order to attract and retain instructors, those who are subject to uncertainties of employment must be provided assurance their economic needs are addressed. Over time, a change in hiring patterns has occurred, and for the last decade a substantial portion of community and technical college faculty are hired on a contingent, as needed, basis. That contingent nature distinguishes them from the more stable, majority employment found in the common school system and in the other institutions of higher education. Contingent assurances of future employment are often speculative and do not rise to the level of other forms of assurance. As such, assurances conditioned on forecast enrollment, funding, or program decisions are typically not reasonable assurances of employment.

     It is the intent of the legislature that reasonable assurance continue to apply to all employees of educational institutions as required by federal provisions and RCW 50.44.080.

[2001 c 99 § 1.]

Notes: Conflict with federal requirements -- Severability -- Applicability -- Effective date -- 2001 c 99: See notes following RCW 50.44.053.