2014 -- S 2757

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LC004868

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - ARBITRATION

     Introduced By: Senators Ciccone, and Archambault

     Date Introduced: March 06, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 28-9 of the General Laws entitled "Arbitration of Labor

Controversies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     28-9-28. Enforcement of retiree benefits under prior collective bargaining

agreements. -- Any police officer or firefighter who retired under the terms, conditions, or

benefits as were set forth in a collective bargaining agreement providing for said benefits at the

time of his or her retirement, may seek enforcement of said rights and benefits under the

provisions of this chapter unless expressly prohibited in the grievance/arbitration provisions of

the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Provided further, the rights or benefits claimed by

said retiree arise out of the express terms of the collective bargaining agreement, and the labor

organization charged with administration of the current collective bargaining agreement has

expressly authorized arbitration of the dispute or controversy in accordance with the provisions of

this chapter.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC004868

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - ARBITRATION

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     This act would allow retired police officers and firefighters to file a grievance with their

respective union if a provision of the contract they retired under was violated and they were

refused a retirement benefit. The grievance would be subject to the grievance procedure in the

collective bargaining agreement for the respective union, and the local union would have the final

say on whether or not it in fact was a violation of the contract that they retired under.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004868

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