On October 15, 2003, Washington Federation of State Employees filed a petition for investigation of a question concerning representation with the Public Employment Relations Commission, involving certain employees of Washington State - Natural Resources. As a result of prelimi­nary processing of the petition, the Commission determined the question concerning representation, and issues concerning the eligibil­ity of certain employees for inclusion in the bargaining unit were reserved for subsequent determination. The tally indicated that Washington Federation of State Employees was entitled to certifica­tion in the matter, and that the reserved eligibil­ity issues were not of a suffi­cient number to affect the outcome of the proceedings.

An interim cer­tification was issued in this matter, as Washington State - Natural Resources, Decision 8458 (PSRA,2004) for the bargaining unit described as:

A RESIDUAL UNIT OF ALL EMPLOYEES OF THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES COVERED UNDER RCW 41.80, EXCLUDING SUPERVISORS, CONFIDENTIAL EMPLOYEES, WMS EMPLOYEES, AND EMPLOYEES IN EXISTING BARGAINING UNITS.

The proceeding was held open to resolve the eligibility disputes previously framed by the parties.

The Commission issued its decision on those remaining eligibility issues as Washington State - Natural Resources, Decision 8458-B (PSRA,2005). It therefore appears that all issues that could properly be addressed in this representation proceeding have been resolved, and that no further proceed­ings are necessary.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is

ORDERED

1.                  The interim certification issued in this matter will stand as the final certifi­cation in this representation proceed­ing.

2.                  The above-captioned matter is CLOSED.

Issued at Olympia, Washington, on the 28th day of July, 2005.

PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

[SIGNED]

MARVIN L. SCHURKE, Executive Director