Federal & State Regulations | Unfair labor practices - Rhode Island

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

Rhode Island has substantial labor relations laws; however they are similar to the protections provided under the National Labor Relations Act or Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act.

Rhode Island requires that notice be given of any current strike when advertising for replacement employees.

Unfair labor practices

Under Rhode Island law, it is an unfair labor practice for an employer to:

Spy on or keep under surveillance, whether directly or through agents or any other person, any activities of employees or their representatives in the exercise of union-related rights.
Prepare, maintain, distribute, or circulate any blacklist of individuals for the purpose of preventing any of the individuals from obtaining or retaining employment because of the exercise of union-related rights.
Dominate or interfere with the formation, existence, or administration of any employee organization or association, agency, or plan which exists in whole or in part for the purpose of dealing with employers concerning terms or conditions of employment, labor disputes, or grievances, or to contribute financial or other support to any such organization.
Require an employee or one seeking employment, as a condition of employment, to join any company union or to refrain from forming, or joining, or assisting a labor organization of his own choosing.
Encourage membership in any company union or discourage membership in any labor organization, by discrimination in regard to hire or tenure or in any term or condition of employment.
Refuse to bargain collectively with the representatives of employees.
Refuse to discuss grievances with representatives of employees.
Discharge or otherwise discriminate against an employee because he or she has signed or filed any affidavit, petition, or complaint or given any information or testimony regarding union rights.
Distribute or circulate any blacklist of individuals exercising any right created or confirmed by this chapter or of members of a labor organization, or to inform any person of the exercise by any individual of that right, or of the membership of any individual in a labor organization for the purpose of preventing individuals so blacklisted or so named from obtaining or retaining employment.
Fail to implement an arbitrator's award unless there is a stay of its implementation by a court of competent jurisdiction or upon the removal of the stay.

Right to work

The state has no right to work law.

Public employees

Rhode Island has several labor relations laws for public employees, including: