Section 28-9.7-1. – Short title.

§ 28-9.7-1. Short title. This chapter may be cited as the “Correctional Officers Arbitration Act.” History of Section.P.L. 2004, ch. 582, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 592, § 1.

Section 28-9.7-10. – Factors to be considered by arbitration board.

§ 28-9.7-10. Factors to be considered by arbitration board. The arbitrators shall conduct the hearings and render their decision upon the basis of a prompt, peaceful, and just settlement of wage or hour disputes between the correctional officers and the state. The factors among others to be given weight by the arbitrators in arriving at […]

Section 28-9.7-11. – Fees and expenses of arbitration.

§ 28-9.7-11. Fees and expenses of arbitration. Fees and necessary expenses of arbitration shall be borne equally by the bargaining agent and the state. Notwithstanding any other remedies which a court-appointed arbitrator appointed by the chief justice pursuant to § 28-9.7-8 may have, the arbitrator or a party who has paid its share of the […]

Section 28-9.7-12. – Collective bargaining contract.

§ 28-9.7-12. Collective bargaining contract. Any agreements actually negotiated between the bargaining agent and the state authorities either before or within thirty (30) days after arbitration shall constitute the collective bargaining contract governing correctional officers and the state for the period stated therein, provided that the period shall not exceed three (3) years. Any collective […]

Section 28-9.7-13. – Request for collective bargaining.

§ 28-9.7-13. Request for collective bargaining. Whenever wages, rates of pay, or any other matter requiring appropriation of money by the state are included as a matter of collective bargaining conducted under the provisions of this chapter, it is the obligation of the bargaining agent to serve written notice of request for collective bargaining on […]

Section 28-9.7-14. – Writ of certiorari to the supreme court.

§ 28-9.7-14. Writ of certiorari to the supreme court. The sole avenue of review of a decision of an arbitration panel issued pursuant to this chapter shall be by petition for writ of certiorari to the supreme court. In the event a decision of the arbitration panel is sought to be reviewed by writ of […]

Section 28-9.7-15. – Attorney’s fees, costs, and interest.

§ 28-9.7-15. Attorney’s fees, costs, and interest. In the event either the bargaining agent or the state authorities shall file a petition for writ of certiorari to the supreme court of the state of Rhode Island for a review or modification of a majority decision of the arbitrators, which by the provisions of § 28-9.7-9 […]

Section 28-9.7-16. – Severability.

§ 28-9.7-16. Severability. If any provision of this chapter, or application thereof to any person or circumstances, is held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remaining provisions of this chapter and the application of the provisions to other persons or circumstances, other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby. History […]

Section 28-9.7-17. – Affirmative action provisions.

§ 28-9.7-17. Affirmative action provisions. The state authorities, as defined herein, shall include proposals for affirmative action provisions as a subject for all collective bargaining negotiations. The proposals shall include, at a minimum, but not limited to, the following personnel actions: recruitment, new hires, promotions, transfers, terminations, training and education, layoffs, and return from layoff. […]

Section 28-9.7-2. – Statement of policy.

§ 28-9.7-2. Statement of policy. (a) The protection of the public health, safety, and welfare demands that the full-time correctional officers of the state of Rhode Island not be accorded the right to strike or engage in any work stoppage or slowdown. This necessary prohibition does not, however, require the denial to such state employees […]

Section 28-9.7-3. – Definitions.

§ 28-9.7-3. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall, unless the context requires a different interpretation have the following meanings: (1) “Correctional officers” shall mean the full-time correctional officers of the state of Rhode Island. (2) “State authorities” shall mean the proper officials of the state whose duty or duties it is […]

Section 28-9.7-4. – Right to organize and bargain collectively.

§ 28-9.7-4. Right to organize and bargain collectively. The correctional officers shall have the right to bargain collectively with the state of Rhode Island and to be represented by an organization in the collective bargaining as to wages, rates of pay, hours, working conditions, and all other terms and conditions of employment. History of Section.P.L. […]

Section 28-9.7-5. – Recognition of bargaining agent.

§ 28-9.7-5. Recognition of bargaining agent. The organization selected by the majority of the correctional officers shall be recognized by the state as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for all of the correctional officers unless and until recognition of the organization is withdrawn by vote of a majority of the correctional officers. The labor […]

Section 28-9.7-6. – Obligation to bargain.

§ 28-9.7-6. Obligation to bargain. It shall be the obligation of the state, acting through state authorities, to meet and confer in good faith with the designated representative or representatives of the bargaining agent, including any legal counsel selected by the bargaining agent, within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from the bargaining […]

Section 28-9.7-7. – Unresolved issues submitted to arbitration.

§ 28-9.7-7. Unresolved issues submitted to arbitration. In the event that the bargaining agent and the state authorities are unable within thirty (30) days from and including the date of their first meeting to reach an agreement on a contract, any and all unresolved issues shall be submitted to arbitration. The parties may agree in […]

Section 28-9.7-8. – Arbitration board — Composition.

§ 28-9.7-8. Arbitration board — Composition. Within five (5) days from the expiration of the thirty-day (30) period referred to in § 28-9.7-7, unless the parties mutually agree to extend the time to select their arbitrator, the bargaining agent and the state authorities shall each select and name one arbitrator and shall immediately thereafter notify […]

Section 28-9.7-9. – Hearings.

§ 28-9.7-9. Hearings. (a) The arbitration board shall, acting through its chair, call a hearing to be held within ten (10) days after the date of appointment of the chairperson, and shall, acting through its chairperson, give at least seven (7) days’ notice in writing to each of the other two (2) arbitrators, the bargaining […]