Rhode Island House Bill H5266

Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/25
• Refer: 1/31/25
• Report Pass: 6/5/25
• Engrossed: 6/12/25
• Enrolled: 6/18/25
• Passed: 6/26/25

Caption

Requires the employers of unionized public school teachers, municipal employees and state employees, to provide the union, at least once every 120 days, a list of all their employees in their union, as well as their personal and demographic information.

Impact

The proposed bill has significant implications for labor relations in the state, particularly in how information is shared between employers and unions. By mandating regular updates on employee data, the bill facilitates better union representation and allows for more effective negotiation and advocacy for members' rights. Additionally, the requirement for employers to maintain confidentiality regarding this data is crucial, as it addresses privacy concerns while enabling unions to operate more effectively.

Summary

House Bill 5266 aims to amend existing labor relations laws in Rhode Island by requiring employers of unionized public school teachers, municipal employees, and state employees to provide unions with updated lists of their employees every 120 days. The information to be shared includes personal and demographic details, employee ID numbers, work locations, job titles, and information on dues deductions. This is intended to enhance communication between unions and their represented employees while ensuring unions maintain accurate and current records of membership.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support from labor advocates who argue that it strengthens union rights and enhances employee representation, notable points of contention arise regarding data privacy and the administrative burden placed on employers. Critics may argue that frequent data reporting could lead to compliance challenges and concerns over the security of sensitive personal information. Balancing the need for union transparency with the protection of employee privacy rights is likely to be a focal point in discussions surrounding the approval of H5266.