Section 24-12-49 - Declaration of policy - Preventing economic harm to the town of JamestownIt is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to prevent the economic harm to the town of Jamestown which will occur upon the opening of the Newport Bridge to traffic through loss of employment opportunities on the Jamestown and Newport ferries and the resultant dislocation of the residence of the Jamestown and Newport ferries employees, therefore:
(1) The authority shall, in the operation and maintenance of the Newport Bridge, engage employees of the department of transportation who were employed in connection with the operation of the ferries from Jamestown to Newport and whose employment is terminated voluntarily or involuntarily by reason of the opening of the Newport Bridge to traffic, before it shall engage any other employees.(2) The several departments of the state government including the personnel department are hereby charged with the responsibility of providing employment opportunities within the state classified service and within reasonable commuting distance of their residences, for employees of the department of transportation who were employed in connection with the operation of ferries from Jamestown to Newport and whose employment has been terminated by reason of the opening of the Newport Bridge to traffic.(3) During the period of the operation of the Newport Bridge as contemplated in this chapter, preference shall continue to be given to employees of the department of transportation employed in connection with the operation of the ferry from Jamestown to Newport and whose employment has been terminated by reason of the opening of the Newport Bridge to traffic in filling vacancies which may occur from time to time.R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-49