(a)  The exclusive representative shall have the right to act for and negotiate agreements covering all employees in the bargaining unit. Nothing in the provision shall require the exclusive representative to provide representation at any level of the grievance process, including arbitration, in any case on behalf of an employee who has elected not to maintain membership in the employee organization for a period of at least ninety (90) days prior to the events giving rise to the grievance.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 28-9.1-18

  • Employee: means any person who has entered into the employment of or works under contract of service or apprenticeship with any employer, except that in the case of a city or town other than the city of Providence it shall only mean that class or those classes of employees as may be designated by a city, town, or regional school district in a manner provided in this chapter to receive compensation under chapters 29 — 38 of this title. See Rhode Island General Laws 28-29-2
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.

(b)  An employee who has elected not to maintain membership in the employee organization may, at his or her own expense, pursue a grievance against the employer and have the grievance heard, without intervention by the exclusive representative, provided that the exclusive representative is afforded the opportunity to be present at the grievance/arbitration hearing and that any resolution of the grievance shall not be inconsistent with the terms of the collective bargaining agreement then in effect between the employer and the exclusive representative. The exclusive representative shall have no obligation to incur expenses related to a grievance initiated by an employee who has elected not to maintain membership in the employee organization for a period of at least ninety (90) days prior to the events giving rise to the grievance.

History of Section.
P.L. 2018, ch. 144, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 210, § 1.