R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-9.4-17: Mediation by director of labor and training and his or her conciliators.

The services of the state director of labor and training and his or her conciliators shall be available to municipal employers and employee organizations for purposes of conciliation of grievances or contract disputes; provided, that nothing in this section prevents the use of the arbitration procedures and arbitration tribunals provided for in §§ 28-9.4-10 — 28-9.4-15.