R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-11-7: Obligation to bargain.

It shall be the obligation of the chief executive or his or her designee (appointed, elected, or possessing classified status) to meet and confer in good faith with the representatives of the state employees’ bargaining agent within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from the bargaining agent of the request for a meeting for collective bargaining purposes. This obligation shall include the duty to cause any agreement resulting from negotiations to be reduced to a written contract.