Bill > H5227

This bill amends an existing law to explicitly protect the collective bargaining rights of professional, administrative, and secretarial employees at the Rhode Island Department of Education. Currently, these employees are appointed and managed at the discretion of the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, with limited job protections. The bill adds a new provision that clarifies these employees have the right to collectively bargain over all terms and conditions of employment, including salaries, job tenure, and dismissal procedures, under existing state labor laws (specifically chapters 11 of title 36 and chapter 7 of title 28). The new language prevents the commissioner or department from interfering with or abrogating agreements reached through collective bargaining, thereby strengthening worker protections and ensuring these employees can negotiate their employment terms through union representation. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage, providing immediate legal protection for these department of education employees.

Labor and Employment

https://status.rilegislature.gov/