2017 -- S 0975

========

LC002566

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FIREFIGHTERS' ARBITRATION

     

     Introduced By: Senators Coyne, Seveney, Satchell, and Ciccone

     Date Introduced: June 21, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

     SECTION 1. Chapter 28-9.1 of the General Laws entitled "Firefighters' Arbitration" is

2

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

3

     28-9.1-18. Negotiation and representation duties of bargaining agent.

4

     (a) The exclusive bargaining agent shall have the right to act for and negotiate

5

agreements covering all employees in the bargaining unit. Nothing in this section shall require the

6

exclusive bargaining agent to provide representation at any level of the grievance process

7

including arbitration in any case on behalf of an employee who has elected not to maintain

8

membership in the bargaining unit for a period of at least ninety (90) days prior to the events

9

giving rise to the grievance.

10

     (b) An employee who has elected not to maintain membership in the bargaining unit may,

11

at their own expense, present a grievance to the employer and have such grievance heard without

12

intervention by the exclusive bargaining agent; provided, that the exclusive bargaining agent is

13

afforded the opportunity to be present at such conferences and that any adjustment made shall not

14

be inconsistent with the terms of an agreement then in effect between the employer and the

15

exclusive bargaining agent. The exclusive bargaining agent shall have no obligation to incur

16

expenses related to a grievance initiated by an employee who has elected not to maintain

17

membership in the bargaining unit for a period of at least ninety (90) days prior to the events

18

giving rise to the grievance.

 

1

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC002566

========

 

LC002566 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FIREFIGHTERS' ARBITRATION

***

1

     This act would grant the exclusive bargaining agent the right to act for and negotiate on

2

behalf of bargaining unit members and provide grievance representation only to firefighters who

3

have maintained membership for at least ninety (90) days prior to the event that resulted in a

4

grievance.

5

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC002566

========

 

LC002566 - Page 3 of 3