Rhode Island General Laws Title 28. Labor and Labor Relations § 28-9.3-5. Determination of negotiating agent--Elections

(a) The state labor relations board, upon the written petition for an election signed by not less than twenty percent (20%) of the certified public school teachers of the city, town, or regional school district, indicating their desire to be represented by a particular association or organization or to change or withdraw recognition, shall call and hold an election at which all certified public school teachers shall be entitled to vote.

(b) The association or organization selected by a majority of the certified public school teachers voting in the election shall be certified by the state labor relations board as the exclusive negotiating or bargaining representative of the certified public school teachers of the city, town, or regional school district in any matter within the provisions of this chapter.

(c) Upon written petition to intervene in the election signed by not less than fifteen percent (15%) of the certified public school teachers indicating their desire to be represented by a different or competing association or organization, the name of the different or competing association or organization shall be placed on the same ballot.

(d) If the majority of those voting desire no representation, no association nor labor organization shall be recognized by the school committee as authorized to negotiate or bargain in behalf of its certified public school teachers, and in all elections there shall be provided on the ballot an appropriate designation for such a choice.