reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.1 - Firefighters’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.1-17. - Continuance of contractual provisions.

§ 28-9.1-17. Continuance of contractual provisions.
All contractual provisions contained in a collective bargaining agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall continue in the following collective bargaining agreement unless either the bargaining agent or the corporate authority shall, in writing, within the thirty-day (30) period referred to in § 28-9.1-7, propose a change in any contractual provision. The parties may agree in writing to continue all contractual provisions contained in a collective bargaining agreement until such time as the parties enter into, and have ratified or arbitrated, a successor agreement.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 46, § 2; P.L. 2017, ch. 15, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 33, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.1 - Firefighters’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.1-18. - Exclusive bargaining representative obligations.

§ 28-9.1-18. Exclusive bargaining representative obligations.
(a)
The exclusive representative shall have the right to act for and negotiate agreements covering all employees in the bargaining unit. Nothing in the provision shall require the exclusive representative to provide representation at any level of the grievance process, including arbitration, in any case on behalf of an employee who has elected not to maintain membership in the employee organization for a period of at least ninety (90) days prior to the events giving rise to the grievance.
(b)
An employee who has elected not to maintain membership in the employee organization may, at his or her own expense, pursue a grievance against the employer and have the grievance heard, without intervention by the exclusive representative, provided that the exclusive representative is afforded the opportunity to be present at the grievance/arbitration hearing and that any resolution of the grievance shall not be inconsistent with the terms of the collective bargaining agreement then in effect between the employer and the exclusive representative. The exclusive representative shall have no obligation to incur expenses related to a grievance initiated by an employee who has elected not to maintain membership in the employee organization for a period of at least ninety (90) days prior to the events giving rise to the grievance.
History of Section.
P.L. 2018, ch. 144, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 210, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-1. - Short title.

§ 28-9.2-1. Short title.
This chapter may be cited as the “Municipal Police Arbitration Act.”
History of Section.
P.L. 1963, ch. 54, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-2. - Statement of policy.

§ 28-9.2-2. Statement of policy.
(a)
The protection of the public health, safety, and welfare demands that full-time police officers of any paid police department in any city or town 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 municipal 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 full-time police officers of any paid police department in any city or town 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 a 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 solely a recognition 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. 1963, ch. 54, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-3. - Definitions.

§ 28-9.2-3. Definitions.
As used in this chapter the following terms, unless the context requires a different interpretation, have the following meanings:
(1)
“Corporate authorities” means the proper officials within any city or town 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 police officers, whether they are the mayor, city manager, town manager, town administrator, city council, town council, director of personnel, personnel board or commission, or by whatever other name they may be designated, or any combination thereof.
(2)
“Police officer” means a full-time police officer from the rank of patrolman up to and including the rank of chief, including policewomen, of any particular police department in any city or town within the state.
History of Section.
P.L. 1963, ch. 54, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-4. - Right to organize and bargain collectively.

§ 28-9.2-4. Right to organize and bargain collectively.
The police officers in any city or town have the right to bargain collectively with their respective cities or towns and 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. 1963, ch. 54, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-5. - Recognition of bargaining agent.

§ 28-9.2-5. Recognition of bargaining agent.
The organization selected by the majority of the police officers in any city or town shall be recognized by the city or town as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for all of the police officers of the city or town police department unless and until recognition of the organization is withdrawn by vote of a majority of the police of the city or town. The labor organization, or city or town, 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. 1963, ch. 54, § 1; P.L. 1970, ch. 190, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-6. - Obligation to bargain.

§ 28-9.2-6. Obligation to bargain.
It shall be the obligation of the city or town, acting through its corporate 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 one year unless a longer period is agreed upon in writing by the corporate authorities and the bargaining agent, but in no event shall the contract 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. An unfair labor charge may be complained of by either the employer’s representative or the bargaining agent 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. 1963, ch. 54, § 1; P.L. 1970, ch. 68, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 241, § 4; P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 22, § 3; P.L. 2014, ch. 10, § 2; P.L. 2014, ch. 12, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 512, art. 1, § 13.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-7. - Unresolved issues submitted to arbitration.

§ 28-9.2-7. Unresolved issues submitted to arbitration.
In the event that the bargaining agent and the corporate 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; provided, the parties may agree in writing to extend the thirty-day (30) period as they so desire.
History of Section.
P.L. 1963, ch. 54, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 301, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 314, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-8. - Arbitration board — Composition.

§ 28-9.2-8. Arbitration board — Composition.
Within five (5) days from the expiration of the thirty-day (30) period referred to in § 28-9.2-7, the bargaining agent and the corporate authorities shall each select and name one arbitrator and shall immediately thereafter notify each other in writing of the name and address of the person so selected. The two (2) arbitrators so selected and named shall, within ten (10) days from and after the expiration of the five-day (5) period mentioned in this section, 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 third arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association. The third arbitrator, whether selected as a result of agreement between the two (2) arbitrators previously selected or selected by the American Arbitration Association, shall act as chairperson of the arbitration board.
History of Section.
P.L. 1963, ch. 54, § 1; P.L. 1968, ch. 151, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 175, § 2; P.L. 1994, ch. 193, § 2; P.L. 1994, ch. 229, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-9. - Hearings.

§ 28-9.2-9. Hearings.
(a)
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 corporate authorities of the time and place of the hearing. The hearing shall be informal, and the rules of evidence prevailing in judicial proceedings shall not be binding. Any documentary evidence and other data deemed relevant by the arbitrators may be received in evidence.
(b)
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.
(c)
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 corporate authorities.
(d)
A majority decision of the arbitrators is binding on both the bargaining agent and the corporate authorities.
History of Section.
P.L. 1963, ch. 54, § 1; P.L. 1968, ch. 151, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-10. - Factors to be considered by arbitration board.

§ 28-9.2-10. Factors to be considered by arbitration board.
The arbitrators shall conduct the hearings and render their decision on the basis of a prompt, peaceful, and just settlement of wage or hour disputes between the police officers and the city or town by which they are employed. 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 police department in question with prevailing wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of skilled employees of the building trades and industry in the local operating area involved.
(2)
Comparison of wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of the police department in question with wage rates or hourly conditions of employment of police departments in cities or towns of comparable size.
(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.
(5)
Comparison of community’s ability to pay.
History of Section.
P.L. 1963, ch. 54, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 182, § 11.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-11. - Fees and expenses of arbitration.

§ 28-9.2-11. Fees and expenses of arbitration.
Fees and necessary expenses of arbitration shall be borne equally by the bargaining agent and the corporate authorities. Notwithstanding any other remedies that an arbitrator may have, the arbitrator or a party who or that has paid its share of the fees and necessary expenses of an 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. 1963, ch. 54, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 246, § 2; P.L. 2022, ch. 234, art. 1, § 7, effective December 31, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-12. - Collective bargaining contract.

§ 28-9.2-12. Collective bargaining contract.
Any agreements actually negotiated between the bargaining agent and the corporate authorities either before or within thirty (30) days after arbitration shall constitute the collective bargaining contract governing police and the city or town for the period stated in the contract; provided, that the period shall not exceed one year. Any collective bargaining agreement negotiated under the terms and provisions of this chapter shall specifically provide that the police officers 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. 1963, ch. 54, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-13. - Request for collective bargaining.

§ 28-9.2-13. Request for collective bargaining.
Whenever wages, rates of pay, or any other matter requiring appropriation of money by any city or town are included as 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 corporate authorities at least one hundred twenty (120) days before the last day on which money can be appropriated by the city or town to cover the contract period that is the subject of the collective bargaining procedure.
History of Section.
P.L. 1963, ch. 54, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-14. - Severability.

§ 28-9.2-14. 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. 1963, ch. 54, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-15. - Writ of certiorari to the supreme court.

§ 28-9.2-15. 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. If 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. 1975, ch. 52, § 2; P.L. 1988, ch. 207, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-16. - Attorney’s fees — Costs — Interest.

§ 28-9.2-16. Attorney’s fees — Costs — Interest.
If either the bargaining agent or the corporate 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 § 28-9.2-9 is binding upon both the bargaining agent and the corporate 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 attorney’s 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 costs and reasonable attorney’s 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. 1976, ch. 75, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 207, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-17. - Continuance of contractual provisions.

§ 28-9.2-17. Continuance of contractual provisions.
All contractual provisions contained in a collective bargaining agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall continue in the following collective bargaining agreement unless either the bargaining agent or the corporate authority shall, in writing, within the thirty-day (30) period referred to in § 28-9.2-7, propose a change in any contractual provisions.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 271, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.2 - Municipal Police Arbitration › Section 28-9.2-18. - Exclusive bargaining representative obligations.

§ 28-9.2-18. Exclusive bargaining representative obligations.
(a)
The exclusive representative shall have the right to act for and negotiate agreements covering all employees in the bargaining unit. Nothing in the provision shall require the exclusive representative to provide representation at any level of the grievance process, including arbitration, in any case on behalf of an employee who has elected not to maintain membership in the employee organization for a period of at least ninety (90) days prior to the events giving rise to the grievance.
(b)
An employee who has elected not to maintain membership in the employee organization may, at his or her own expense, pursue a grievance against the employer and have the grievance heard, without intervention by the exclusive representative, provided that the exclusive representative is afforded the opportunity to be present at the grievance/arbitration hearing and that any resolution of the grievance shall not be inconsistent with the terms of the collective bargaining agreement then in effect between the employer and the exclusive representative. The exclusive representative shall have no obligation to incur expenses related to a grievance initiated by an employee who has elected not to maintain membership in the employee organization for a period of at least ninety (90) days prior to the events giving rise to the grievance.
History of Section.
P.L. 2018, ch. 144, § 2; P.L. 2018, ch. 210, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-1. - Declaration of policy — Purpose.

§ 28-9.3-1. Declaration of policy — Purpose.
(a)
In pursuance of the duty imposed upon it by the constitution to promote public schools and to adopt all means necessary and proper to secure to the people the advantages and opportunities of education, the general assembly declares that it recognizes teaching as a profession that requires special educational qualifications and that to achieve high quality education it is indispensable that good relations exist between teaching personnel and school committees.
(b)
It is declared to be the public policy of this state to accord to certified public school teachers the right to organize, to be represented, to negotiate professionally, and to bargain on a collective basis with school committees covering hours, salary, working conditions, and other terms of professional employment; provided, that nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to accord to certified public school teachers the right to strike.
History of Section.
P.L. 1966, ch. 146, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-2. - Right to organize and bargain collectively.

§ 28-9.3-2. Right to organize and bargain collectively.
(a)
The certified teachers in the public school system in any city, town, or regional school district have the right to negotiate professionally and to bargain collectively with their respective school committees and to be represented by an association or labor organization in the negotiation or collective bargaining concerning hours, salary, working conditions, and all other terms and conditions of professional employment.
(b)
For purposes of this chapter, “certified teachers” means certified teaching personnel employed in the public school systems in the state of Rhode Island engaged in teaching duties, including support personnel whose positions require a professional certificate issued by the state department of education and personnel licensed by the department of health; or other non-administrative professional employees.
(c)
Whenever the word “school committee” is used in this chapter, in a municipality with an appointed school committee, it means the chief executive officer of the municipality.
(d)
Superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, and assistant principals, and other supervisors above the rank of assistant principal, are excluded from the provisions of this chapter.
(e)
Active employees whose collective bargaining agreements expire on or after September 30, 2011, may, upon expiration of such collective bargaining agreements, receive coverage under benefit plans including, but not limited to, those recommended in accordance with chapter 73 of title 27.
History of Section.
P.L. 1966, ch. 146, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 418, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 366, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 193, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 374, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 383, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 301, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 124, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 133, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 265, § 6.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-3. - Recognition of bargaining agent.

§ 28-9.3-3. Recognition of bargaining agent.
The association or labor organization selected by the certified public school teachers in the public school system in any city, town, or regional school district shall be recognized by the school committee of the city, town, or district as the sole and exclusive negotiating or bargaining agent for all of the public school teachers of the city, town, or regional school district unless and until recognition of the association or labor organization is withdrawn or changed by vote of the certified public school teachers after a duly conducted election, held pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. An association or labor organization or the school committee may designate any person or persons to negotiate or bargain in its behalf.
History of Section.
P.L. 1966, ch. 146, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-4. - Obligation to bargain.

§ 28-9.3-4. Obligation to bargain.
It shall be the obligation of the school committee 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 negotiations 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. An unfair labor practice charge may be complained of by either the bargaining agent or the school committee 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. 1966, ch. 146, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 241, § 5; P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 22, § 4; P.L. 2014, ch. 10, § 3; P.L. 2014, ch. 14, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 512, art. 1, § 14.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-5. - Determination of negotiating agent — Elections.

§ 28-9.3-5. 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 certified public school teachers of the city, town, or regional school district, indicating their desire to be represented by a particular association or organization or to change or withdraw recognition, shall call and hold an election at which all certified public school teachers shall be entitled to vote.
(b)
The association or organization selected by a majority of the certified public school teachers voting in the election shall be certified by the state labor relations board as the exclusive negotiating or bargaining representative of the certified public school teachers of the city, town, or regional school district in any matter within the provisions of this chapter.
(c)
Upon written petition to intervene in the election signed by not less than fifteen percent (15%) of the certified public school teachers indicating their desire to be represented by a different or competing association or organization, the name of the different or competing association or organization shall be placed on the same ballot.
(d)
If the majority of those voting desire no representation, no association nor labor organization shall be recognized by the school committee as authorized to negotiate or bargain in behalf of its certified public school teachers, and in all elections there shall be provided on the ballot an appropriate designation for such a choice.
History of Section.
P.L. 1966, ch. 146, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-6. - Supervision of elections.

§ 28-9.3-6. 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 declared to be unfair labor practices for a school committee.
History of Section.
P.L. 1966, ch. 146, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-7. - Certification of negotiating agent.

§ 28-9.3-7. Certification of negotiating agent.
(a)
No association or organization shall be initially certified as the representative of certified public school teachers except after an election.
(b)
Teachers shall be free to join or to decline to join any association or organization regardless of whether it has been certified as the exclusive representative of certified public school teachers.
(c)
If new elections are not held after an association or labor organization is certified, the association or organization shall continue as the exclusive representative of the certified public school teachers from year to year until recognition is withdrawn or changed as provided in § 28-9.3-5.
(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)
Any employees 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.
(f)
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. 1966, ch. 146, § 1; P.L. 1975, ch. 54, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 146, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-8. - Request for negotiation or bargaining.

§ 28-9.3-8. Request for negotiation or bargaining.
Whenever salary or other matters requiring appropriation of money by any city, town, or regional school district are to be included as a 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 school committee at least one hundred forty (140) 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 which is the subject of the negotiating or bargaining procedure, and the time limit shall be strictly adhered to and shall not be waived. A copy of the written notice of request for negotiating or collective bargaining shall be sent to the director of labor and training.
History of Section.
P.L. 1966, ch. 146, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 379, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-9. - Unresolved issues submitted to mediation or arbitration.

§ 28-9.3-9. Unresolved issues submitted to mediation or arbitration.
(a)
In the event that the negotiating or bargaining agent and the school committee are unable, within 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. 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 school committee 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 and town to cover the first year of the contract period, 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 school committee are unable within ten (10) days of the scheduled close of school in June of the last year of the contract in effect 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 the parties to any and all meetings it deems necessary until the dispute is resolved.
(e)
For any mediation pertaining to unresolved issues that are submitted to compulsory mediation between the negotiating or bargaining agent and the school committee, pursuant to the provisions of this section, the state shall pay up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) of the cost of the mediation expenses. Any costs above five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be shared equally between the bargaining unit and the school committee.
History of Section.
P.L. 1966, ch. 146, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 379, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 43, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 410, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 415, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 65, art. 15, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-10. - Arbitration board — Composition.

§ 28-9.3-10. Arbitration board — Composition.
(a)
Within seven (7) days after arbitration has been requested as provided in § 28-9.3-9, the negotiating or bargaining agent and the school committee shall each select and name one arbitrator and shall immediately notify each other in writing of the name and address of the person so selected. 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.
(b)
If the negotiating or bargaining agent agrees with the school committee 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 council on elementary and secondary education designate the arbitrator or arbitrators to conduct the arbitration, the agreement shall govern the selection of arbitrators. However, if the council on elementary and secondary education is unwilling or fails to designate the arbitrator or arbitrators, an alternative method of selection shall be used.
(c)
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 council on elementary and secondary education, or by any other method, shall act as chairperson.
History of Section.
P.L. 1966, ch. 146, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-11. - Hearings.

§ 28-9.3-11. 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 school committee of the time and place of the hearing. The hearing shall be informal, and the rules of evidence prevailing in judicial proceedings shall not be binding. Any documentary evidence and other data deemed relevant by the arbitrators may be received in evidence.
(b)
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.
(c)
Both the negotiating or bargaining agent and the school committee shall have the right to be represented at any hearing before the arbitrators by counsel of their own choosing.
(d)
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 school committee.
History of Section.
P.L. 1966, ch. 146, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-12. - Appeal from decision.

§ 28-9.3-12. Appeal from decision.
While the parties are engaged in negotiations and/or utilizing the dispute resolution process as required in § 28-9.3-9, 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 on the certified public school teachers and their representative and the school committee 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 § 28-9.3-9, 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. Nothing contained in this section shall prevent the representative of the certified public school teachers and the school committee from mutually agreeing to submit all unresolved issues to binding arbitration pursuant to the procedures set forth in §§ 28-9.3-10 — 28-9.3-12. In that case the decision of the arbitrators shall be final and binding on all matters so submitted, including those involving the expenditure of money, 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. The school committee 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 that appropriates money for the operation of the schools in the city, town, or regional school district involved, if the decision involves the expenditure of money.
History of Section.
P.L. 1966, ch. 146, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 379, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 15, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 16, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-13. - Fees and expenses of arbitration.

§ 28-9.3-13. Fees and expenses of arbitration.
Fees and necessary expenses of arbitration shall be borne equally by the negotiating or bargaining agent and the school committee.
History of Section.
P.L. 1966, ch. 146, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-14. - Plural and singular usage.

§ 28-9.3-14. Plural and singular usage.
Whenever the word “arbitrators” is used in this chapter it also means arbitrator where applicable.
History of Section.
P.L. 1966, ch. 146, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-15. - Severability.

§ 28-9.3-15. 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. 1966, ch. 146, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.3 - Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.3-16. - Short title.

§ 28-9.3-16. Short title.
This chapter may be cited as the “School Teachers’ Arbitration Act.”
History of Section.
P.L. 1966, ch. 146, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-1. - Declaration of policy — Purpose.

§ 28-9.4-1. Declaration of policy — Purpose.
It is declared to be the public policy of this state to accord to municipal employees the right to organize, to be represented, to negotiate, and to bargain on a collective basis with municipal employers, covering hours, salary, working conditions and other terms of employment; provided, that nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to accord to municipal employees the right to strike.
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 28-9.4-2. - Definitions.

§ 28-9.4-2. Definitions.
(a)
“Employee organizations” means any lawful association, labor organization, federation, or council having as a primary purpose the improvement of wages, hours, and other conditions of employment among employees of municipal employers.
(b)
“Municipal employee” means any employee of a municipal employer, whether or not in the classified service of the municipal employer, except:
(1)
Elected officials and administrative officials;
(2)
Board and commission members;
(3)
Certified teachers, police officers, and firefighters;
(4)
Confidential and supervisory employees;
(5)
Casual employees, meaning persons hired for an occasional period to perform special jobs or functions;
(6)
Seasonal employees, meaning persons employed to perform work on a seasonal basis of not more than sixteen (16) weeks, or who are part of an annual job employment program;
(7)
Employees of authorities except housing authorities not under direct management by a municipality who work less than twenty (20) hours per week. The state labor relations board shall, whenever requested to do so, in each instance, determine who are supervisory, administrative, confidential, casual, and seasonal employees.
(c)
“Municipal employer” means any political subdivision of the state, including any town, city, borough, district, school board, housing authority, or other authority established by law, and any person or persons designated by the municipal employer to act in its interest in dealing with municipal employees.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1; P.L. 1989, ch. 58 § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-3. - Right to organize and bargain collectively.

§ 28-9.4-3. Right to organize and bargain collectively.
(a)
The municipal employees of any municipal employer in any city, town, or regional school district shall have the right to negotiate and to bargain collectively with their respective municipal employers and to be represented by an employee organization in the negotiation or collective bargaining concerning hours, salary, working conditions, and all other terms and conditions of employment.
(b)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), for those municipal employees who are employed by school districts, collective bargaining agreements shall not provide for benefits for health care (“benefit plans”) for school district employees unless such benefit plans are authorized in accordance with chapter 73 of title 27. School district employees whose collective bargaining agreements expire on or after September 30, 2011, may, upon expiration of such collective bargaining agreements, receive benefit plans including, but not limited to, those recommended in accordance with chapter 73 of title 27.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 374, § 2; P.L. 2009, ch. 383, § 2; P.L. 2010, ch. 301, § 3; P.L. 2011, ch. 124, § 3; P.L. 2011, ch. 133, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations › Chapter 28-9.4 - Municipal Employees’ Arbitration › Section 28-9.4-4. - Recognition of bargaining agent.

§ 28-9.4-4. Recognition of bargaining agent.
The employee organization selected by the municipal employees in an appropriate bargaining unit, as determined by the state labor relations board, shall be recognized by the municipal employer or the city, town, or district as the sole and exclusive negotiating or bargaining agent for all of the municipal employees in the appropriate bargaining unit in the city, town, or school district unless and until recognition of the employee organization is withdrawn or changed by vote of the municipal employees in the appropriate bargaining unit after a duly conducted election held pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. An employee organization or the municipal employer may designate any person or persons to negotiate or bargain in its behalf.
History of Section.
P.L. 1967, ch. 44, § 1.