reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 28-7-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-12 - Rights of employees.

§ 28-7-12. Rights of employees.Employees shall have the right of self organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in concerted activities, for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection free from interference, restraint, or coercion from any source. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be interpreted to prohibit employees and employers from conferring with each other at any time; provided, that during that conference there is no attempt by the employer, directly or indirectly, to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed by this section.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-12.
RI Gen L § 28-7-13.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-13.1 - Unfair labor practices - Public sector employee organizations.

§ 28-7-13.1. Unfair labor practices — Public sector employee organizations.It shall be an unfair labor practice for public sector employee organizations, their agents, or representatives to:(1) Refuse to meet and bargain collectively with a public employer if the labor organization is the exclusive agent for the public employees in the certified bargaining unit.(2) Fail to negotiate or bargain in good faith with the duly authorized representatives of the public employer.(3) Avoid or refuse to comply with any statutory impasse procedures as may be provided in chapters 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 and 9.4 of this title.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 241, § 2.
RI Gen L § 28-7-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-14 - Exclusive representation of employees.

§ 28-7-14. Exclusive representation of employees.Representatives designated or selected for the purposes of collective bargaining by the majority of the employees in a unit appropriate for those purposes, or by the majority of the employees voting in an election conducted pursuant to §§ 28-7-15 — 28-7-19, shall be the exclusive representatives of all the employees in the appropriate unit for the purposes of collective bargaining in respect to rates of pay, wages, hours of employment, or other conditions of employment; provided, that employees, directly or through representatives, shall have the right at any time to present grievances to their employer.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-14.
RI Gen L § 28-7-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-15 - Determination of bargaining unit.

§ 28-7-15. Determination of bargaining unit.The board shall decide in each case whether, in order to insure to employees the full benefit of their right to self organization, to collective bargaining, and otherwise to effectuate the policies of this chapter, the unit appropriate for the purposes of collective bargaining shall be the employer unit, craft unit, plant unit, or any other unit provided, that in any case where the majority of employees of a particular craft make that decision, the board shall designate the craft as a unit appropriate for the purpose of collective bargaining.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-15.
RI Gen L § 28-7-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-16 - Controversies as to representation.

§ 28-7-16. Controversies as to representation.(a) Whenever it is alleged by an employee or his or her representative that there is a question or controversy concerning the representation of employees, the board shall investigate the question or controversy and certify in writing to all persons concerned the name or names of the representatives who have been designated or selected.(b) Whenever it is alleged by an employer or his or her representative that there is a question or controversy concerning the representation of employees, the board shall investigate the question or controversy after a public hearing held upon due notice.(c) In any investigation the board shall provide for an appropriate hearing upon due notice, either in conjunction with a proceeding under §§ 28-7-21 — 28-7-25 or otherwise, and may conduct an election by secret ballot of employees, or use any other suitable method to ascertain the representatives either before or after the hearing; provided, that the board does not have authority to investigate any question or controversy between individuals or groups within the same labor organization or between labor organizations affiliated with the same parent labor organization.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-16.
RI Gen L § 28-7-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-17 - Eligibility to participate in elections - Place and supervision of elections.

§ 28-7-17. Eligibility to participate in elections — Place and supervision of elections.The board shall have the power to determine who may participate in the election and to establish the rules governing the election; provided, that no election shall be directed by the board solely because of the request of an employer or of employees prompted to do so by their employer, nor shall any individuals employed only for the duration of a strike or lockout be eligible to vote in the election; and provided, further, that no election shall be conducted under the employer's supervision, or, except as may be required by the board, on the employer's property, during working hours, or with his or her participation or assistance.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-17.
RI Gen L § 28-7-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-18 - Runoff elections - Term of certification as bargaining representative.

§ 28-7-18. Runoff elections — Term of certification as bargaining representative.If at an election conducted pursuant to §§ 28-7-14 — 28-7-19, three (3) or more nominees for exclusive collective bargaining representatives appear on the ballot and no one of them receives a majority of the votes cast at the election, the two (2) nominees who received the highest number of votes shall appear on the ballot of a second election to be conducted under these provisions and the one receiving a majority of the votes cast at the second election shall be the exclusive representative of all the employees in the unit for the purpose of collective bargaining in respect to rates of pay, wages, hours of employment, or other conditions of employment. Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this chapter, any certification as to the bargaining representatives made pursuant to an election conducted under §§ 28-7-14 — 28-7-19 shall be effective for one year from the date of the election.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-18.
RI Gen L § 28-7-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-19 - Unions listed on ballot - Company unions.

§ 28-7-19. Unions listed on ballot — Company unions.A labor organization nominated as the representative of employees shall be listed by name on the ballots authorized by § 28-7-16. In any investigation conducted by the board pursuant to §§ 28-7-14 — 28-7-19, the board may make a finding as to whether any committee, employee representation plan, or association of employees involved is a company union, and if any committee, employee representation plan, or association of employees is found to be a company union, it shall not be listed on the ballots, certified, or otherwise recognized as eligible to be the representative of employees under this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-19.
RI Gen L § 28-7-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-20 - Power of board to prevent unfair practices.

§ 28-7-20. Power of board to prevent unfair practices.The board is empowered and directed, as provided in this chapter, to prevent any employer, or public sector employee organization as provided in § 28-7-13.1, from engaging in any unfair labor practice. This power shall not be affected or impaired by any means of adjustment, mediation, or conciliation in labor disputes that have been or may be established by law.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-20; P.L. 1993, ch. 241, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-7-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-21 - Complaints of unfair practices - Parties to proceedings - Rules of evidence.

§ 28-7-21. Complaints of unfair practices — Parties to proceedings — Rules of evidence.Whenever a charge has been made that any employer or public sector employee organization, as provided in § 28-7-13.1, has engaged in or is engaging in any unfair labor practice, the board shall have the power to issue and cause to be served upon the party a complaint stating those charges in that respect and containing a notice of a hearing before the board at a place fixed in the complaint, to be held not less than seven (7) days after the serving of the complaint. Any complaint may be amended by the board or its agent conducting the hearing at any time prior to the issuance of an order based on the complaint. The person complained of shall have the right to file an answer to the original or amended complaint within five (5) days after the service of the original or amended complaint and to appear in person or otherwise to give testimony at the place and time set in the complaint. In the discretion of a member or agent conducting the hearing, or of the board, any other person may be allowed to intervene in the proceedings and to present testimony. In any proceeding the board or its agent is not bound by technical rules of evidence prevailing in the courts.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 7; P.L. 1942, ch. 1247, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-21; P.L. 1993, ch. 241, § 1.
RI Gen L § 28-7-22 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-22 - Testimony at hearing - Decision and orders.

§ 28-7-22. Testimony at hearing — Decision and orders.(a) The testimony shall be taken at the hearing and the board in its discretion may upon notice take further testimony or hear argument. The testimony so taken or heard shall not be reduced to writing unless an appeal is taken as provided in this chapter by an aggrieved party or unless a transcript is required for proceedings in the superior court.(b) (1) If upon all the testimony taken the board determines that the respondent has engaged in or is engaging in any unfair labor practice, the board shall state its findings of fact and shall issue and cause to be served on the respondent an order requiring the respondent to cease and desist from the unfair labor practice, and to take any further affirmative or other action that will effectuate the policies of this chapter, including, but not limited to:(i) Withdrawal of recognition from and refraining from bargaining collectively with any employee organization or association, agency, or plan defined in this chapter as a company union, or established, maintained, or assisted by any action defined in this chapter as an unfair labor practice;(ii) Awarding of back pay;(iii) Reinstatement with or without back pay of any employee discriminated against in violation of § 28-7-13, or maintenance of a preferential list from which the employee shall be returned to work;(iv) Reinstatement with or without back pay of all employees whose work has ceased or whose return to work has been delayed or prevented as the result of the aforementioned or any other unfair labor practice in respect to any employee or employees or maintenance of a preferential list from which the employees shall be returned to work.(2) The order may further require the person to make reports from time to time showing the extent to which the order has been complied with.(c) If upon all the testimony the board is of the opinion that the person or persons named in the complaint have not engaged in or are not engaging in any unfair labor practice, the board shall make its findings of fact and issue an order dismissing the complaint.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 7; P.L. 1942, ch. 1247, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-22.
RI Gen L § 28-7-23 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-23 - Modification of findings and orders.

§ 28-7-23. Modification of findings and orders.Until a transcript of the record in a case has been filed in a court, as provided in this chapter, the board may at any time, upon reasonable notice and in any manner that it deems proper, modify or set aside, in whole or in part, any finding or order made or issued by it.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-23.
RI Gen L § 28-7-24 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-24 - Discontinuance of strike or other activity as condition of board action.

§ 28-7-24. Discontinuance of strike or other activity as condition of board action.The board shall not require as a condition of taking action or issuing any order under this chapter that employees on strike or engaged in any other lawful, concerted activity shall discontinue that strike or that activity.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-24.
RI Gen L § 28-7-25 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-25 - Expedition of proceedings.

§ 28-7-25. Expedition of proceedings.The board shall consider all complaints or petitions filed with it and conduct all proceedings under this chapter with all possible expedition.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-25.
RI Gen L § 28-7-26 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-26 - Judicial enforcement of orders.

§ 28-7-26. Judicial enforcement of orders.(a) The board shall have the power to petition the superior court of the state within the county where the unfair labor practice in question occurred or where any person charged with the unfair labor practice resides or transacts business. If that court is on vacation or in recess, then the board may petition to the superior court of any county adjoining the county where the unfair labor practice in question occurred or where any person charged with the unfair labor practice resides or transacts business, for the enforcement of the order and for appropriate temporary relief or restraining order. The board shall certify and file in the court a transcript of the entire record in the proceeding, including the pleadings and testimony upon which the order was made and the findings and order of the board.(b) Upon the filing, the court shall cause notice of the filing to be served on the person, and at that time shall have jurisdiction of the proceeding and of the question determined in the proceeding. The court shall have the power to grant any temporary relief or restraining order that it deems just and proper, and to make and enter upon the pleadings, testimony, and proceedings set forth in the transcript a decree enforcing, modifying, and enforcing as so modified, or setting aside, in whole or in part, the order of the board.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-26.
RI Gen L § 28-7-27 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-27 - Proceedings in judicial hearing.

§ 28-7-27. Proceedings in judicial hearing.No objection that has not been urged before the board, its member, agent, or agency shall be considered by the court, unless the failure or neglect to urge the objection is excused because of extraordinary circumstances. The findings of the board as to the facts, if supported by evidence, shall be conclusive. If either party applies to the court for leave to adduce additional evidence and shows to the satisfaction of the court that the additional evidence is material and that there were reasonable grounds for failure to adduce the evidence in the hearing before the board, its member, agent, or agency, the court may order the additional evidence to be taken before the board, its member, agent, or agency, and to be made a part of the transcript. The board may modify its finding as to the facts, or make new findings, by reason of additional evidence so taken and filed, and it shall file the modified or new findings, which, if supported by evidence, shall be conclusive, and shall file its recommendations, if any, for the modification or setting aside of its original order.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-27.
RI Gen L § 28-7-28 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-28 - Jurisdiction of court - Appeal to supreme court.

§ 28-7-28. Jurisdiction of court — Appeal to supreme court.The jurisdiction of the superior court shall be exclusive and its judgment shall be final, except that the judgment shall be subject to review by the supreme court on appeal by either party, irrespective of the nature of the judgment or the amount involved. The appeal shall be taken and prosecuted in the same manner and form and with the same effect as is provided in other cases of appeal to the supreme court. The certified record shall contain all that was before the superior court, and the order of the superior court shall for all purposes, including appeal to the supreme court, be deemed to be a final order in a special proceeding.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 8; P.L. 1942, ch. 1247, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-28.
RI Gen L § 28-7-29 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-29 - Appeal from decision of board.

§ 28-7-29. Appeal from decision of board.(a) Any person aggrieved by a final decision of the board, or a final order of the board, granting or denying in whole or in part the relief sought may obtain a review of the final decision or final order in the superior court of the county where the unfair labor practice in question was alleged to have been engaged in or where the person resides or transacts business, by filing in the superior court, within thirty (30) days after the final decision or final order is given by the board, a complaint requesting that the final decision or final order of the board be modified or set aside. If that court is on vacation or in recess, then the person may file to the superior court of any county adjoining the county where the unfair labor practice in question occurred or where the person resides or transacts business.(b) A copy of the petition shall be served upon the board, and thereupon the aggrieved person shall file in the court a transcript of the entire record in the proceeding, certified by the board, including the pleading and testimony and order of the board. Upon the filing, the court shall proceed in the same manner as in the case of an application by the board under §§ 28-7-20 — 28-7-25, and shall have the same exclusive jurisdiction to grant to the board any temporary relief or restraining order that it deems just and proper, and in like manner to make and enter a decree enforcing, modifying and enforcing as so modified, or setting aside in whole or in part the final decision or final order of the board. The findings of the board as to the facts shall be conclusive.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 8; P.L. 1942, ch. 1247, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-29.
RI Gen L § 28-7-30 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-30 - Board's order not stayed by judicial proceedings.

§ 28-7-30. Board's order not stayed by judicial proceedings.The commencement of proceedings under §§ 28-7-26 and 28-7-29 shall not, unless specifically ordered by the court, operate as a stay of the board's order.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-30.
RI Gen L § 28-7-31 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-31 - Court not limited by equity jurisdiction.

§ 28-7-31. Court not limited by equity jurisdiction.When granting appropriate temporary relief or a restraining order, or making and entering a decree enforcing, modifying and enforcing as so modified, or setting aside in whole or in part an order of the board, as provided in §§ 28-7-26 — 28-7-30, the jurisdiction of courts sitting in equity shall not be limited by acts pertaining to equity jurisdiction of courts.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-31.
RI Gen L § 28-7-32 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-32 - Expedition of judicial proceedings.

§ 28-7-32. Expedition of judicial proceedings.Petitions filed under this chapter shall be heard expeditiously and shall be considered and determined upon the transcript filed, without requirement of printing. Upon the filing of a record in the superior court, the case shall be heard with greatest possible expedition, and shall take precedence over all other matters except matters of the same character.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-32.
RI Gen L § 28-7-33 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-33 - Access of board to evidence - Subpoena power - Oaths and affirmations.

§ 28-7-33. Access of board to evidence — Subpoena power — Oaths and affirmations.For the purpose of all hearings and investigations which, in the opinion of the board, are necessary and proper for the exercise of the powers vested in it by §§ 28-7-14 — 28-7-25, the board, or its duly authorized agents or agencies, shall at all reasonable times have access to, for the purposes of examination and the right to examine, copy, or photograph any evidence, including payrolls or list of employees, of any person being investigated or proceeded against that relates to any matter under investigation or in question. Any member of the board shall have the power to issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of any evidence that relates to any matter under investigation or in question before the board, its member, agent, or agency conducting the hearing or investigation. Any member of the board, or any agent or agency designated by the board for these purposes, may administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses, and receive evidence.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 9; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-33.
RI Gen L § 28-7-34 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations|Chapter 28-7 - Labor Relations Act|Section 28-7-34 - Taking of depositions.

§ 28-7-34. Taking of depositions.If any witness resides outside of the state, or through illness or other cause is unable to testify before the board or its member, agent, or agency conducting the hearing or investigation, his or her testimony or deposition may be taken within or without this state, in any manner and in any form that the board or its member, agent, or agency conducting the hearing may by special order or general rule, prescribe.History of Section.P.L. 1941, ch. 1066, § 9; G.L. 1956, § 28-7-34.