Rhode Island General Laws Title 28. Labor and Labor Relations § 28-9.3-10. Arbitration board--Composition

(a) Within seven (7) days after arbitration has been requested as provided in § 28-9.3-9, the negotiating or bargaining agent and the school committee shall each select and name one arbitrator and shall immediately notify each other in writing of the name and address of the person so selected. The two (2) arbitrators selected and named shall, within ten (10) days from and after their selection, agree upon and select and name a third arbitrator. If within the ten (10) days the arbitrators are unable to agree upon the selection of a third arbitrator, the third arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the rules and procedure of the American Arbitration Association.

(b) If the negotiating or bargaining agent agrees with the school committee to a different method of selecting arbitrators, or to a lesser or greater number of arbitrators, or to any particular arbitrator, or if they agree to have the council on elementary and secondary education designate the arbitrator or arbitrators to conduct the arbitration, the agreement shall govern the selection of arbitrators. However, if the council on elementary and secondary education is unwilling or fails to designate the arbitrator or arbitrators, an alternative method of selection shall be used.

(c) The third arbitrator, whether selected as a result of agreement between the two (2) previously selected arbitrators, or selected under the rules of the American Arbitration Association, or by the council on elementary and secondary education, or by any other method, shall act as chairperson.