2024 -- H 7794

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LC004408

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- ARBITRATION OF LABOR

CONTROVERSIES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, McNamara, Baginski, Perez, Noret, Donovan,
Carson, Craven, Slater, and Corvese

     Date Introduced: February 29, 2024

     Referred To: House Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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     28-9-29. Public safety contract continuity.

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     The terms and conditions contained in a municipal police and municipal firefighters'

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collective bargaining agreement shall remain in effect while subject to binding arbitration and

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during negotiations and/or utilization of the dispute resolution process as required by this chapter

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or chapters 9.1 and 9.2 of title 28. Following the conclusion of any dispute resolution, including

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but not limited to, an arbitration award, should any issue relating to wages, benefits or the layoff

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process remain unresolved, then the provisions set forth in the expired collective bargaining

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agreement shall remain valid and in full force and effect until such time as a successor agreement

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has been reached between the parties or a final arbitration award has been rendered.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2025.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- ARBITRATION OF LABOR

CONTROVERSIES

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     This act would reduce disruptive labor disputes with municipal police and firefighter

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unions during the transition to a new collective bargaining agreement by extending the provisions

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of an existing collective bargaining agreement until a new agreement is reached by arbitration.

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     This act would take effect on January 1, 2025.

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