A union-backed bill aimed at employers’ ‘captive audience’ meetings is passed by R.I. Senate

On Tuesday, the Senate voted 31 to 5 for a bill introduced by Senator Matthew L. LaMountain, a Warwick Democrat. The legislation now goes to the House, where Judiciary Committee Chairman Robert E. Craven Sr., a North Kingstown Democrat, has introduced a companion bill. Labor organizations are pushing for the legislation while business groups are trying to kill it. PROVIDENCE — The state Senate this week passed a bill that would protect employees from being penalized for not attending “captive audience meetings,” in which employers require workers to listen to...