reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-5. - Obligation to bargain.

§ 28-9.4-5. Obligation to bargain.
It shall be the obligation of the municipal employer to meet and confer in good faith with the representative or representatives of the negotiating or bargaining agent within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from the agent of the request for a meeting for negotiating or collective bargaining purposes. This obligation includes the duty to cause any agreement resulting from negotiation or bargaining to be reduced to a written contract; provided, that no contract shall exceed the term of three (3) years unless a budget commission or a receiver has been appointed for a municipality pursuant to chapter 9 of title 45 or if a municipality has a locally administered pension plan in “critical status” and is required to submit a funding improvement plan pursuant to § 45-65-6(2). In either case, the contract shall not exceed the term of five (5) years. Failure to negotiate or bargain in good faith may be complained of by either the negotiating or bargaining agent or the municipal employer to the state labor relations board, which shall deal with the complaint in the manner provided in chapter 7 of this title. An unfair labor practice charge may be complained of by either the bargaining agent or employer’s representative to the state labor relations board, which shall deal with the complaint in the manner provided in chapter 7 of this title.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 241, § 6; P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 22, § 5; P.L. 2014, ch. 10, § 4; P.L. 2014, ch. 11, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 512, art. 1, § 15.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-6. - Determination of negotiating agent — Elections.

§ 28-9.4-6. Determination of negotiating agent — Elections.
(a)
The state labor relations board, upon the written petition for an election signed by not less than twenty percent (20%) of the municipal employees in an appropriate bargaining unit as determined by the state labor relations board of a city, town, or regional school district indicating their desire to be represented by a particular employee organization or to change or withdraw recognition, shall call and hold an election at which all municipal employees in the appropriate bargaining unit shall be entitled to vote.
(b)
The employee organization selected by a majority of the municipal employees in the appropriate bargaining unit voting in the election shall be certified by the state labor relations board as the exclusive negotiating or bargaining representative of the municipal employees in the appropriate bargaining unit of the city, town, or regional school district in any matter within the provision of this chapter.
(c)
Upon written petition to intervene in the election signed by not less than fifteen percent (15%) of the municipal employees in the appropriate bargaining unit indicating their desire to be represented by a different or competing employee organization, the name of the different or competing employee organization shall be placed on the same ballot.
(d)
If the majority of those voting desire no representation, no employee organization shall be recognized by the municipal employer as authorized to negotiate or bargain in behalf of its municipal employees in the appropriate bargaining unit, and in all elections there shall be provided on the ballot an appropriate designation of such a choice.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-7. - Supervision of elections.

§ 28-9.4-7. Supervision of elections.
The state labor relations board shall prescribe the method of petitioning for an election, the manner, place, and time of conducting the election, and shall supervise all elections to insure against interference, restraint, discrimination, or coercion from any source. Complaints of interference, restraint, discrimination, or coercion shall be heard and dealt with by the labor relations board as provided in chapter 7 of this title. All unfair labor practices enumerated in § 28-7-13 are unfair labor practices for a municipal employer.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-8. - Certification of negotiating agent.

§ 28-9.4-8. Certification of negotiating agent.
(a)
No employee organization shall be initially certified as the representative of municipal employees in an appropriate bargaining unit except after an election.
(b)
Municipal employees shall be free to join or decline to join any employee organization regardless of whether it has been certified as the exclusive representative of municipal employees in an appropriate bargaining unit.
(c)
If new elections are not held after an employee organization is certified, the employee organization shall continue as the exclusive representative of the municipal employees of the appropriate bargaining unit from year to year until recognition is withdrawn or changed as provided in § 28-9.4-6.
(d)
Elections shall not be held more often than once each twelve (12) months and must be held at least thirty (30) days before the expiration date of any employment contract.
(e)
An employee organization designated as the representative of the majority of the municipal employees in an appropriate bargaining unit shall be the exclusive bargaining agent for all municipal employees of the unit, and shall act, negotiate agreements, and bargain collectively for all employees in the unit and shall be responsible for representing the interest of all the municipal employees without discrimination and without regard to employee organization membership.
(f)
Any employee(s) in the bargaining unit, who are not members of the exclusive bargaining representative organization, may be required by the labor or employee organization to pay a reasonable charge for representation in grievances and/or arbitrations brought at the nonmember’s request.
(g)
The employer shall notify the exclusive bargaining unit representative organization of the hiring of any employee in the bargaining unit. The notice shall be given promptly after the hiring decision is made but in no event later than the fifth business day following the employee’s start date.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 95, § 2; P.L. 2019, ch. 146, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-9. - Request for negotiation or bargaining.

§ 28-9.4-9. Request for negotiation or bargaining.
Whenever salary or other matters requiring appropriation of money by any municipal employer are to be included as matter of negotiation or collective bargaining conducted under the provisions of this chapter, the negotiating or bargaining agent must first serve written notice of request for negotiating or collective bargaining on the municipal employer at least one hundred twenty (120) days before the last day on which money can be appropriated by the municipal employer to cover the first year of the contract period which is the subject of the negotiating or bargaining procedure.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-10. - Unresolved issues submitted to mediation or arbitration.

§ 28-9.4-10. Unresolved issues submitted to mediation or arbitration.
(a)
In the event that the negotiating or bargaining agent and the municipal employer are unable after thirty (30) days from and including the date of their first meeting to reach an agreement on a contract, either of them may request mediation and conciliation upon any and all unresolved issues by the director of labor and training or from any other source. After a request for mediation and conciliation has been made by either party, it shall be the duty and obligation of each party to participate in the mediation and conciliation. If mediation and conciliation fail or are not requested at any time after the thirty (30) days, either party may request that any and all unresolved issues shall be submitted to arbitration by sending the request by certified mail postage prepaid to the other party, setting forth the issues to be arbitrated.
(b)
In the event that the negotiating or bargaining agent and the municipal employer are unable to reach an agreement on a contract thirty (30) days before the last day on which money can be appropriated by the city or town to cover the first year of the contract period, then any and all unresolved issues shall be submitted to the director of labor and training for compulsory mediation until the date upon which the money is scheduled to be appropriated. The director of labor and training, or his or her designee, may waive this requirement upon the mutual agreement of the parties.
(c)
In the event that the negotiating or bargaining agent and the municipal employer are unable within ten (10) days of the expiration of the contract to reach an agreement on a contract, any and all unresolved issues shall be submitted to the director of labor and training for compulsory mediation, except where the municipal employer is a school board. In the event that the negotiating or bargaining agent and the municipal employer school board are unable within thirty (30) days of the scheduled opening of school to reach an agreement on a contract, any and all unresolved issues shall be submitted to the director of labor and training for compulsory mediation.
(d)
If the parties cannot mutually agree upon a mediator within twenty-four (24) hours, the director of labor and training shall select a mediator from a panel previously established by the director comprised of persons knowledgeable in the field of labor management relations to mediate the dispute. The department of labor and training is empowered to compel the attendance of all parties to any and all meetings it deems necessary until the dispute is resolved.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 432, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 100, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 184, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-11. - Arbitration board — Composition.

§ 28-9.4-11. Arbitration board — Composition.
(a)
Within seven (7) days after arbitration has been requested as provided in § 28-9.4-10, the negotiating agent and the municipal employer shall each select and name one arbitrator and shall immediately thereafter notify each other, in writing, of the name and address of the person selected.
(b)
The two (2) arbitrators selected and named shall within ten (10) days from and after their selection agree upon and select and name a third arbitrator. If within the ten (10) days the arbitrators are unable to agree upon the selection of a third arbitrator, the third arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the rules and procedure of the American Arbitration Association.
(c)
If the negotiating or bargaining agent agrees with the municipal employer to a different method of selecting arbitrators, or to a lesser or greater number of arbitrators, or to any particular arbitrator, or if they agree to have the state director of labor and training designate the arbitrator or arbitrators to conduct the arbitration, the agreement shall govern the selection of arbitrators; provided, that if the state director of labor and training is unwilling or fails to designate the arbitrator or arbitrators, an alternative method of selection shall be used.
(d)
The third arbitrator, whether selected as a result of agreement between the two (2) previously selected arbitrators, or selected under the rules of the American Arbitration Association, or by the state director of labor and training or by any other method, shall act as chairperson.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-12. - Hearings.

§ 28-9.4-12. Hearings.
(a)
The arbitrators shall call a hearing to be held within ten (10) days after their appointment and shall give at least seven (7) days’ notice, in writing, to the negotiating or bargaining agent and the municipal employer of the time and place of the hearing.
(b)
The hearing shall be informal, and the rules of evidence prevailing in judicial proceedings shall not be binding. Any and all documentary evidence and other data deemed relevant by the arbitrators may be received in evidence.
(c)
The arbitrators shall have the power to administer oaths and to require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses, and the production of books, records, and other evidence relative or pertinent to the issues presented to them for determination.
(d)
Both the negotiating or bargaining agent and the municipal employer shall have the right to be represented at any hearing before the arbitrators by counsel of their own choosing.
(e)
The hearing conducted by the arbitrators shall be concluded within twenty (20) days of the time of commencement, and within ten (10) days after the conclusion of the hearings, the arbitrators shall make written findings and a written opinion upon the issues presented, a copy of which shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to the negotiating or bargaining agent or its attorney or other designated representative and the municipal employer.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-13. - Appeal from decision.

§ 28-9.4-13. Appeal from decision.
(a)
While the parties are engaged in negotiations and/or utilizing the dispute resolution process as required in § 28-9.4-10, all terms and conditions in the collective bargaining agreement shall remain in effect. The decision of the arbitrators shall be made public and shall be binding upon the municipal employees in the appropriate bargaining unit and their representative and the municipal employer on all matters not involving the expenditure of money. Should either party reject the nonbinding matters in the decision of the arbitrators, the binding matters shall be implemented. Following the conclusion of the dispute resolution process as required in § 28-9.4-10, should the parties still be unable to reach agreement, all contractual provisions related to wages and benefits contained in the collective bargaining agreement, except for any contractual provisions that limit layoffs, shall continue as agreed to in the expired collective bargaining agreement until such time as a successor agreement has been reached between the parties.
(b)
The decision of the arbitrators shall be final and cannot be appealed except on the ground that the decision was procured by fraud or that it violates the law, in which case appeals shall be to the superior court.
(c)
The municipal employer shall within three (3) days after it receives the decision send a true copy of the decision by certified or registered mail postage prepaid to the department or agency of the municipal employer responsible for the preparation of the budget and to the agency of the municipal employer that appropriates money for the operation of the particular municipal function or service in the city, town, or regional school district involved, if the decision involves the expenditure of money.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 15, § 2; P.L. 2019, ch. 16, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-14. - Fees and expenses of arbitration.

§ 28-9.4-14. Fees and expenses of arbitration.
Fees and necessary expenses of arbitration shall be borne equally by the negotiating or bargaining agent and the municipal employer.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-15. - Plural and singular usage.

§ 28-9.4-15. Plural and singular usage.
Whenever the word arbitrators is used in this chapter it also means arbitrator where applicable.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-16. - Strikes by municipal employees illegal.

§ 28-9.4-16. Strikes by municipal employees illegal.
Municipal employees covered by the provisions of this chapter shall not have the right to engage in any strike, work stoppage, or slowdown strike; and any strike, work stoppage, or slowdown strike shall be illegal.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-17. - Mediation by director of labor and training and his or her conciliators.

§ 28-9.4-17. Mediation by director of labor and training and his or her conciliators.
The services of the state director of labor and training and his or her conciliators shall be available to municipal employers and employee organizations for purposes of conciliation of grievances or contract disputes; provided, that nothing in this section prevents the use of the arbitration procedures and arbitration tribunals provided for in §§ 28-9.4-10 — 28-9.4-15.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-18. - Severability.

§ 28-9.4-18. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter, or its application to any person or circumstances, is held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remaining provisions of this chapter and the application of the provisions to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected by the invalidity.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-19. - Short title.

§ 28-9.4-19. Short title.
This chapter may be cited as the “Municipal Employees Arbitration Act.”
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-1. - Short title.

§ 28-9.5-1. Short title.
This chapter may be cited as the “State Police Arbitration Act.”
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-2. - Statement of policy.

§ 28-9.5-2. Statement of policy.
(a)
The protection of the public health, safety, and welfare demands that the full-time state police officers of the state of Rhode Island not be accorded the right to strike or engage in any work stoppage or slowdown. This necessary prohibition does not require the denial to these state employees of other well recognized rights of labor, such as the right to organize, to be represented by an organization of their choice, and the right to bargain collectively concerning wages, rates of pay, and other terms and conditions of employment.
(b)
It is declared to be the public policy of this state to accord to the full-time police officers of the state all of the rights of labor other than the right to strike or engage in any work stoppage or slowdown. To provide for the exercise of these rights, a method of arbitration of disputes is established.
(c)
The establishment of this method of arbitration shall not in any way, be deemed to be recognition by the state of compulsory arbitration as a superior method of settling labor disputes between employees who possess the right to strike and their employers, but rather is a recognition solely of the necessity to provide some alternative mode of settling disputes where employees must as a matter of public policy be denied the usual right to strike.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1; P.L. 2022, ch. 234, art. 1, § 8, effective December 31, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-3. - Definitions.

§ 28-9.5-3. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms, unless the context requires a different interpretation, have the following meanings:
(1)
“State authorities” means the proper officials of the state whose duty or duties it is to establish the wages, salaries, rates of pay, hours, working conditions, and other terms and conditions of employment of state police.
(2)
“State police” means the full-time state police of the state of Rhode Island from the rank of trooper up to and including the rank of sergeant.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-4. - Right to organize and bargain collectively.

§ 28-9.5-4. Right to organize and bargain collectively.
The state police shall have the right to bargain collectively with the state of Rhode Island and to be represented by an organization in the collective bargaining as to wages, rates of pay, hours, working conditions, and all other terms and conditions of employment.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-5. - Recognition of bargaining agent.

§ 28-9.5-5. Recognition of bargaining agent.
The organization selected by the majority of the state police shall be recognized by the state as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for all of the state police unless and until recognition of the organization is withdrawn by vote of a majority of the state police. The labor organization or state may designate any person or persons to negotiate or bargain on its behalf; provided, that the person or persons so designated shall be given authority to enter into and conclude an effective and binding collective bargaining agreement.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-6. - Obligation to bargain.

§ 28-9.5-6. Obligation to bargain.
It shall be the obligation of the state, acting through state authorities, to meet and confer in good faith with the designated representative or representatives of the bargaining agent, including any legal counsel selected by the bargaining agent, within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from the bargaining agent of the request for a meeting for collective bargaining purposes. This obligation includes the duty to cause any agreement resulting from the negotiations to be reduced to a written contract; provided, that no contract shall exceed the term of three (3) years.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-7. - Unresolved issues submitted to arbitration.

§ 28-9.5-7. Unresolved issues submitted to arbitration.
In the event that the bargaining agent and the state authorities are unable within thirty (30) days from and including the date of their first meeting to reach an agreement on a contract, any unresolved issues shall be submitted to arbitration.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-8. - Arbitration board — Composition.

§ 28-9.5-8. Arbitration board — Composition.
(a)
Within five (5) days from the expiration of the thirty-day (30) period referred to in § 28-9.5-7, the bargaining agent and the state authorities shall each select and name one arbitrator and shall immediately notify each other, in writing, of the name and address of the person selected.
(b)
The two (2) arbitrators selected and named shall, within ten (10) days from and after the expiration of the five-day (5) period above, agree upon and select and name a third arbitrator. If, on the expiration of the period allowed, the arbitrators are unable to agree upon the selection of a third arbitrator, the chief justice of the Rhode Island supreme court shall select a resident of Rhode Island, or a person whose place of business or principal place of employment is in Rhode Island, as the third arbitrator upon request, in writing, from either the bargaining agent or the state authorities.
(c)
The third arbitrator, whether selected as a result of agreement between the two (2) previously selected arbitrators or selected by the chief justice, shall act as chairperson of the arbitration board.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 175, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-9. - Hearings.

§ 28-9.5-9. Hearings.
(a)(1)
The arbitration board shall, acting through its chairperson, call a hearing to be held within ten (10) days after the date of the appointment of the chairperson, and shall, acting through its chairperson, give at least seven (7) days’ notice, in writing, to each of the other two (2) arbitrators, the bargaining agent, and the state authorities of the time and place of the hearing.
(2)
The hearing shall be informal and the rules of evidence prevailing in judicial proceedings shall not be binding. Any and all documentary evidence and other data deemed relevant by the arbitrators may be received in evidence.
(3)
The arbitrators shall have the power to administer oaths and to require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses, and the production of books, records, and other evidence relative or pertinent to the issues presented to them for determination.
(b)
The hearing conducted by the arbitrators shall be concluded within twenty (20) days of the time of commencement, and within ten (10) days after the conclusion of the hearings, the arbitrators shall make written findings and a written opinion upon the issues presented, a copy of which shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to the bargaining agent or its attorney or otherwise delegated representative and to the state authorities. A majority decision of the arbitrators shall be binding upon both the bargaining agent and the state authorities.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-10. - Factors to be considered by arbitration board.

§ 28-9.5-10. Factors to be considered by arbitration board.
The arbitrators shall conduct the hearings and render their decision upon the basis of a prompt, peaceful, and just settlement of wage or hour disputes between the state police and the state. The factors, among others, to be given weight by the arbitrators in arriving at a decision shall include:
(1)
Comparison of wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of the state police with prevailing wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of skilled employees of the building trades and industry in the state.
(2)
Comparison of wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of the state police with wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of state police departments in other states.
(3)
Interest and welfare of the public.
(4)
Comparison of peculiarities of employment in regard to other trades or professions, specifically:
(i)
Hazards of employment;
(ii)
Physical qualifications;
(iii)
Educational qualifications;
(iv)
Mental qualifications; and
(v)
Job training and skills.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-11. - Fees and expenses of arbitration.

§ 28-9.5-11. Fees and expenses of arbitration.
Fees and necessary expenses of arbitration shall be equally borne by the bargaining agent and the state. Notwithstanding any other remedies which a court appointed arbitrator appointed by the chief justice pursuant to § 28-9.5-8 may have, the arbitrator or a party who or that has paid its share of the fees and necessary expenses of a court appointed arbitrator may petition the superior court for sanctions against the party failing to make timely payment of its share of the arbitrator’s fees and expenses, and the superior court is authorized to enforce the sanctions against the nonpaying party, including, but not limited to, contempt powers pursuant to § 8-6-1.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 246, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-12. - Collective bargaining contract.

§ 28-9.5-12. Collective bargaining contract.
Any agreements actually negotiated between the bargaining agent and the state authorities either before or within thirty (30) days after arbitration shall constitute the collective bargaining contract governing state police and the state for the period stated in the agreement; provided, that the period shall not exceed three (3) years. Any collective bargaining agreement negotiated under the terms and provisions of this chapter shall specifically provide that the state police who are subject to its terms shall have no right to engage in any work stoppage, slowdown, or strike, the consideration for the provision being the right to a resolution of disputed questions.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-13. - Request for collective bargaining.

§ 28-9.5-13. Request for collective bargaining.
Whenever wages, rates of pay, or any other matter requiring appropriation of money by the state are included as a matter of collective bargaining conducted under the provisions of this chapter, it is the obligation of the bargaining agent to serve written notice of request for collective bargaining on the state authorities at least one hundred twenty (120) days before the last day on which money can be appropriated by the state to cover the contract period that is the subject of the collective bargaining procedure.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-14. - Writ of certiorari to the supreme court.

§ 28-9.5-14. Writ of certiorari to the supreme court.
The sole avenue of review of a decision of an arbitration panel issued pursuant to this chapter shall be by petition for writ of certiorari to the supreme court. In the event a decision of the arbitration panel is sought to be reviewed by writ of certiorari to the supreme court, the matter shall be given priority by the supreme court.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 207, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-15. - Attorneys’ fees, costs, and interest.

§ 28-9.5-15. Attorneys’ fees, costs, and interest.
In the event either the bargaining agent or the state authorities files a petition for writ of certiorari to the supreme court of the state of Rhode Island for a review or modification of a majority decision of the arbitrators, which by the provisions of § 28-9.5-9 is binding upon both the bargaining agent and the state authorities, the party against whom the decision of the supreme court is adverse, if the supreme court finds the appeal or petition to be frivolous, shall pay reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to the successful party as determined by the supreme court, and the supreme court shall in its final decision or judgment award the costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. If the final decision affirms the award of money, the award, if retroactive, shall bear interest at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum from the effective retroactive date.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 207, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-16. - Severability.

§ 28-9.5-16. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter, or its application to any person or circumstances, is held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remaining provisions of this chapter and the application of the provisions to other persons or circumstances, other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected by the invalidity.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 311, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.5 - State Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.5-17. - Affirmative action provisions.

§ 28-9.5-17. Affirmative action provisions.
The superintendent of the state police shall include proposals for affirmative action provisions as a subject for all collective bargaining negotiations. The proposals shall include at a minimum, but not limited to, the following personnel actions: recruitment; new hires; promotions; transfers; terminations; training and education; layoffs and return from layoff.
History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 280, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-1. - Short title.

§ 28-9.6-1. Short title.
This chapter may be cited as the “911 Employees Arbitration Act.”
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242 § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-2. - Statement of policy.

§ 28-9.6-2. Statement of policy.
(a)
The protection of the public health, safety, and welfare demands that the full-time 911 employees of the state of Rhode Island not be accorded the right to strike or engage in any work stoppage or slowdown. This necessary prohibition does not require the denial to such state employees of other well recognized rights of labor, such as the right to organize, to be represented by an organization of their choice, and the right to bargain collectively concerning wages, rates of pay, and other terms and conditions of employment.
(b)
It is declared to be the public policy of this state to accord to the full-time 911 employees of the state all of the rights of labor other than the right to strike or engage in any work stoppage or slowdown. To provide for the exercise of these rights, a method of arbitration of disputes is established.
(c)
The establishment of this method of arbitration shall not, in any way, be deemed to be recognition by the state of compulsory arbitration as a superior method of settling labor disputes between employees who possess the right to strike and their employers, but rather is a recognition solely of the necessity to provide some alternative mode of settling disputes where employees must as a matter of public policy, be denied the usual right to strike.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-3. - Definitions.

§ 28-9.6-3. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms, unless the context requires a different interpretation, have the following meanings:
(1)
“911 employees” means the full-time supervisors, assistant supervisors, and telecommunicators of the 911 statewide uniform emergency telephone system pursuant to chapter 21.1 of title 39.
(2)
“State authorities” means the proper officials of the state whose duty or duties it is to establish the wages, salaries, rates of pay, hours, working conditions, and other terms and conditions of employment of 911 employees.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-4. - Right to organize and bargain collectively.

§ 28-9.6-4. Right to organize and bargain collectively.
The 911 employees shall have the right to bargain collectively with the state of Rhode Island and to be represented by an organization in the collective bargaining as to wages, rates of pay, hours, working conditions, and all other terms and conditions of employment.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-5. - Recognition of bargaining agent.

§ 28-9.6-5. Recognition of bargaining agent.
The organization selected by the majority of the 911 employees shall be recognized by the state as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for all of the 911 employees unless and until recognition of the organization is withdrawn by vote of a majority of the 911 employees. The labor organization or state may designate any person or persons to negotiate or bargain on its behalf; provided, that the person or persons so designated shall be given authority to enter into and conclude an effective and binding collective bargaining agreement.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-6. - Obligation to bargain.

§ 28-9.6-6. Obligation to bargain.
It shall be the obligation of the state, acting through state authorities, to meet and confer in good faith with the designated representative or representatives of the bargaining agent, including any legal counsel selected by the bargaining agent, within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from the bargaining agent of the request for a meeting for collective bargaining purposes. This obligation includes the duty to cause any agreement resulting from the negotiations to be reduced to a written contract; provided, that no contract shall exceed the term of three (3) years.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-7. - Unresolved issues submitted to arbitration.

§ 28-9.6-7. Unresolved issues submitted to arbitration.
In the event that the bargaining agent and the state authorities are unable within thirty (30) days from and including the date of their first meeting to reach an agreement on a contract, any and all unresolved issues shall be submitted to arbitration.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-8. - Arbitration board — Composition.

§ 28-9.6-8. Arbitration board — Composition.
(a)
Within five (5) days from the expiration of the thirty-day (30) period referred to in § 28-9.6-7, the bargaining agent and the state authorities shall each select and name one arbitrator and shall immediately notify each other, in writing, of the name and address of the person selected.
(b)
The two (2) arbitrators selected and named shall, within ten (10) days from and after the expiration of the five-day (5) period above, agree upon and select and name a third arbitrator. If, on the expiration of the period allowed, the arbitrators are unable to agree upon the selection of a third arbitrator, the chief justice of the Rhode Island supreme court shall select a resident of Rhode Island, or a person whose place of business or principal place of employment is in Rhode Island, as the third arbitrator upon request, in writing, from either the bargaining agent or the state authorities.
(c)
The third arbitrator, whether selected as a result of agreement between the two (2) previously selected arbitrators or selected by the chief justice, shall act as chairperson of the arbitration board.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-9. - Hearings.

§ 28-9.6-9. Hearings.
(a)(1)
The arbitration board shall, acting through its chairperson, call a hearing to be held within ten (10) days after the date of the appointment of the chairperson, and shall, acting through its chairperson, give at least seven (7) days’ notice in writing to each of the other two (2) arbitrators, the bargaining agent, and the state authorities of the time and place of the hearing.
(2)
The hearing shall be informal and the rules of evidence prevailing in judicial proceedings shall not be binding. Any and all documentary evidence and other data deemed relevant by the arbitrators may be received in evidence.
(3)
The arbitrators shall have the power to administer oaths and to require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses, and the production of books, records, and other evidence relative or pertinent to the issues presented to them for determination.
(b)
The hearing conducted by the arbitrators shall be concluded within twenty (20) days of the time of commencement, and within ten (10) days after the conclusion of the hearings, the arbitrators shall make written findings and a written opinion upon the issues presented, a copy of which shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to the bargaining agent or its attorney or otherwise delegated representative and to the state authorities. A majority decision of the arbitrators shall be binding upon both the bargaining agent and the state authorities.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-10. - Factors to be considered by arbitration board.

§ 28-9.6-10. Factors to be considered by arbitration board.
The arbitrators shall conduct the hearings and render their decision upon the basis of a prompt, peaceful, and just settlement of wage or hour disputes between the 911 employees and the state. The factors, among others, to be given weight by the arbitrators in arriving at a decision shall include:
(1)
Comparison of wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of the 911 employees with prevailing wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of skilled employees of the building trades and industry in the state.
(2)
Comparison of wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of 911 employees with wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of 911 employees in other states.
(3)
Interest and welfare of the public.
(4)
Comparison of peculiarities of employment in regard to other trades or professions, specifically:
(i)
Hazards of employment;
(ii)
Physical qualifications;
(iii)
Educational qualifications;
(iv)
Mental qualifications; and
(v)
Job training and skills.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-11. - Fees and expenses of arbitration.

§ 28-9.6-11. Fees and expenses of arbitration.
Fees and necessary expenses of arbitration shall be equally borne by the bargaining agent and the state. Notwithstanding any other remedies which a court appointed arbitrator appointed by the chief justice pursuant to § 28-9.6-8 may have, the arbitrator or a party who has paid its share of the fees and necessary expenses of a court appointed arbitrator may petition the superior court for sanctions against the party failing to make timely payment of its share of the arbitrator’s fees and expenses, and the superior court is authorized to enforce the sanctions against the nonpaying party, including, but not limited to, contempt powers pursuant to § 8-6-1.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 246, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-12. - Collective bargaining contract.

§ 28-9.6-12. Collective bargaining contract.
Any agreements actually negotiated between the bargaining agent and the state authorities either before or within thirty (30) days after arbitration shall constitute the collective bargaining contract governing 911 employees and the state for the period stated in the agreement; provided, that the period shall not exceed three (3) years. Any collective bargaining agreement negotiated under the terms and provisions of this chapter shall specifically provide that 911 employees who are subject to its terms have no right to engage in any work stoppage, slowdown, or strike, the consideration for the provision being the right to a resolution of disputed questions.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-13. - Request for collective bargaining.

§ 28-9.6-13. Request for collective bargaining.
Whenever wages, rates of pay, or any other matter requiring appropriation of money by the state are included as a matter of collective bargaining conducted under the provisions of this chapter, it is the obligation of the bargaining agent to serve written notice of request for collective bargaining on the state authorities at least one hundred twenty (120) days before the last day on which money can be appropriated by the state to cover the contract period which is the subject of the collective bargaining procedure.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-14. - Writ of certiorari to the supreme court.

§ 28-9.6-14. Writ of certiorari to the supreme court.
The sole avenue of review of a decision of an arbitration panel issued pursuant to this chapter shall be by petition for writ of certiorari to the supreme court. In the event a decision of the arbitration panel is sought to be reviewed by writ of certiorari to the supreme court, the matter shall be given priority by the supreme court.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-15. - Attorneys’ fees, costs, and interest.

§ 28-9.6-15. Attorneys’ fees, costs, and interest.
In the event either the bargaining agent or the state authorities files a petition for writ of certiorari to the supreme court of the state of Rhode Island for a review or modification of a majority decision of the arbitrators, which by the provisions of § 28-9.6-9 is binding upon both the bargaining agent and the state authorities, the party against whom the decision of the supreme court is adverse, if the supreme court finds the appeal or petition to be frivolous, shall pay reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to the successful party as determined by the supreme court and the supreme court shall in its final decision or judgment award the costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. If the final decision affirms the award of money, the award, if retroactive, shall bear interest at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum from the effective retroactive date.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.6 - 911 Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.6-16. - Severability.

§ 28-9.6-16. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter, or its application to any person or circumstances, is held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remaining provisions of this chapter and the application of the provisions to other persons or circumstances, other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected by the invalidity.
History of Section.
P.L. 1989, ch. 242, § 1.