2018 -- S 2159

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LC003482

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- ORGANIZATION OF STATE

EMPLOYEES

     

     Introduced By: Senators Coyne, Lombardi, Seveney, Calkin, and DiPalma

     Date Introduced: January 23, 2018

     Referred To: Senate Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 36-11 of the General Laws entitled "Organization of State

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

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     36-11-14. Exclusive bargaining representative obligations.

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     (a) The exclusive representative shall have the right to act for and negotiate agreements

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covering all employees in the bargaining unit. Nothing in the provision shall require the exclusive

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representative to provide representation at any level of the grievance process, including

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

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the employee organization for a period of at least ninety (90) days prior to the events giving rise

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to the grievance.

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     (b) An employee who has elected not to maintain membership in the employee

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organization may, at their own expense, pursue a grievance against the employer and have such

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grievance heard, without intervention by the exclusive representative, provided that the exclusive

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representative is afforded the opportunity to be present at such grievance/arbitration hearing and

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that any resolution of the grievance shall not be inconsistent with the terms of the collective

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bargaining agreement then in effect between the employer and the exclusive representative. The

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exclusive representative shall have no obligation to incur expenses related to a grievance initiated

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by an employee who has elected not to maintain membership in the employee organization for a

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period of at least ninety (90) days prior to the events giving rise to the grievance.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- ORGANIZATION OF STATE

EMPLOYEES

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     This act would relieve state employee bargaining representatives from their obligation to

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represent employees in grievances/arbitrations if they were not members of the bargaining unit in

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the ninety (90) days prior to the events that caused the grievance.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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