R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-9.4-4
The employee organization selected by the municipal employees in an appropriate bargaining unit, as determined by the state labor relations board, shall be recognized by the municipal employer or the city, town, or district as the sole and exclusive negotiating or bargaining agent for all of the municipal employees in the appropriate bargaining unit in the city, town, or school district unless and until recognition of the employee organization is withdrawn or changed by vote of the municipal employees in the appropriate bargaining unit after a duly conducted election held pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. An employee organization or the municipal employer may designate any person or persons to negotiate or bargain in its behalf.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-9.4-4