Rhode Island General Laws Title 36. Public Officers and Employees § 36-11-3. Action on grievances

It shall be the responsibility of supervisors at all levels to consider, and commensurate with authority delegated by the head of the state department or agency, to take appropriate action promptly and fairly upon the grievances of their subordinates. To this end, appropriate authority shall be delegated to supervisors by the heads of all state departments or agencies. It shall be the duty of the chief executive or his or her designee (appointed, elected, or possessing classified status) to exert every reasonable effort to settle disputes involving hours, wages, and working conditions, by collective negotiations with designated employee organizations, and to reduce any and all agreements to writing in the form of signed collective bargaining agreements. The agreements shall be deemed lawful documents.