Rhode Island § 28-7-21 - Labor Relations Act

§ 28-7-21. Complaints of unfair practices — Parties to proceedings — Rules of evidence.

(a) Whenever a charge has been made that any employer or public sector employee organization, as provided in § 28-7-13.1, has engaged in or is engaging in any unfair labor practice, the board shall have the power to issue and cause to be served upon the party a complaint stating those charges in that respect and containing a notice of a hearing before the board at a place fixed in the complaint, to be held not less than seven (7) days after the serving of the complaint. Any complaint may be amended by the board or its agent conducting the hearing at any time prior to the issuance of an order based on the complaint. The person complained of shall have the right to file an answer to the original or amended complaint within five (5) days after the service of the original or amended complaint and to appear in person or otherwise to give testimony at the place and time set in the complaint. In the discretion of a member or agent conducting the hearing, or of the board, any other person may be allowed to intervene in the proceedings and to present testimony. In any proceeding the board or its agent is not bound by technical rules of evidence prevailing in the courts.

(b) The board shall have jurisdiction to issue a complaint and make a ruling on any unfair labor practice charge, notwithstanding a pending grievance on the same or similar issue.