(1) Prior to collective bargaining and for purposes of collective bargaining and arbitration, the commission shall conduct a salary survey. The results of the survey shall be published in a report which shall be a public document comparing wages, hours, employee benefits, and conditions of employment of involved ferry employees with those of public and private sector employees in states along the west coast of the United States, including Alaska, and in British Columbia doing directly comparable but not necessarily identical work, giving consideration to factors peculiar to the area and the classifications involved. Such survey report shall be for the purpose of disclosing generally prevailing levels of compensation, benefits, and conditions of employment. It shall be used to guide generally but not to define or limit collective bargaining between the parties.

     (2) Salary and employee benefit information collected from private employers that identifies a specific employer with the salary and employee benefit rates which that employer pays to its employees is not subject to public disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW.

[2006 c 164 § 10; (2006 c 164 § 9 expired July 1, 2006); 2005 c 274 § 308; 1999 c 256 § 1; 1989 c 327 § 2; 1983 c 15 § 13.]

NOTES:

     Prospective application -- Savings -- Effective dates -- 2006 c 164: See notes following RCW 47.64.011.

     Expiration date -- 2006 c 164 § 9: "Section 9 of this act expires July 1, 2006." [2006 c 164 § 20.]

     Part headings not law -- Effective date--2005 c 274: See RCW 42.56.901 and 42.56.902.

     Retroactive application -- 1999 c 256 § 1: "Section 1, chapter 256, Laws of 1999 is a clarification of existing law and applies retroactively." [1999 c 256 § 3.]