Labor board: Gist violated labor laws

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Rhode Island's Education Commissioner is found to have violated state laws.

The State Labor Relations board ruled Thursday that Deborah Gist and other education department officials violated labor laws in 2010, when they attempted to keep department workers from attending a rally to support 74 fired teachers at Central Falls High School.

Most of those teachers were later rehired.

Commissioner Gist released a statement Friday morning asserting the message was intended to deter staff members from interfering with police.

Now, the education department plans to comply with the order to post a copy of the board's decision in schools for 60 days.