Unions - 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 and Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act.

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

Right to work

The state has no right to work law.

Public employees

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

• Firefighters’ Arbitration Act
• Municipal Police Arbitration Act
• Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration Act
• Municipal Employees’ Arbitration Act
• State Police Arbitration Act
• 911 Employees’ Arbitration Act
• State Employees’ Arbitration Act

Employers cannot require employees to attend meetings or listen to communications about religious or political topics. They cannot take or threaten to take adverse action against employees for refusing to attend employer-sponsored meetings, or refusing to listen to communications, where the primary purpose is to share employer opinions about religious or political matters.

State

Contacts

Rhode Island State Labor Relations Board

National Labor Relations Board (Region 1)

Regulations

Rhode Island State Labor Relations Act (R.I. General Laws, Title 28, Chapter 7 of the Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL))
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/Title28/28-7/INDEX.HTM

Actions by labor organizations

R.I. General Laws,Title 28, Chapter 8
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/Title28/28-8/INDEX.HTM

Labor disputes

R.I. General Laws, Title 28, Chapter 10
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/Title28/28-10/INDEX.HTM

Public employees

RIGL 28-9.1 Firefighters’ Arbitration Act
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE28/28-9.1/INDEX.HTM

RIGL 28-9.2 Municipal Police Arbitration Act
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE28/28-9.2/INDEX.HTM

RIGL 28-9.3 Certified School Teachers’ Arbitration Act
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE28/28-9.3/INDEX.HTM

RIGL 28-9.4 Municipal Employees’ Arbitration Act
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE28/28-9.4/INDEX.HTM

RIGL 28-9.5 State Police Arbitration Act
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE28/28-9.5/INDEX.HTM

RIGL 28-9.6 911 Employees’ Arbitration Act
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE28/28-9.6/INDEX.HTM

RIGL 36-11 Employees’ Arbitration Act
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE36/36-11/INDEX.HTM

Federal

ContactNational Labor Relations Board

Regulations29 U.S.C. §§ 151-16929 U.S.C. §401 et seq.