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Technology health and safety assessment and oversight

Negotiating Tech: An Inventory of U.S. Union Contract Provisions for the Digital Age

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Negotiating techParticipation in technology governanceCollaboration purpose and scopeTechnology health and safety assessment and oversight

1. Technology definitions

1.1 Technological change definitions

1.2 Artificial intelligence definitions

1.3 Wearables and sensor technology definitions

1.4 Information and communications technology definitions

1.5 Other workplace technology definitions

2. Foundational technology rights

2.1 Notification and information rights

2.1.a Advance notice of technological change

2.1.b Information and disclosure requirements

2.1.c Routine technology briefings and ongoing updates

2.2 Bargaining rights on technology changes

2.2.a Right to bargain over technology introduction and impacts

2.2.b Scope of technology negotiations

2.2.c Bargaining procedures and technology dispute resolution

2.3 Participation in technology decision-making processes

2.3.a Participation in technology design, development, and acquisition

2.3.b Participation in technology implementation and post-deployment

2.3.c Technology lifecycle participation

2.4 Union jurisdiction and work preservation

2.4.a Jurisdiction over new or modified work

2.4.b Preservation of bargaining unit work

2.5 Examples of technological change agreements

3. Employer commitments in technology implementation

3.1 Employment and economic security protections

3.1.a Job security protections

3.1.b Pay protection and severance programs

3.1.c Comprehensive technology transition agreements

3.2 Training and workforce development for technological change

3.2.a Training and retraining guarantees in technology transitions

3.2.b Access, equity, and selection criteria for training

3.2.c Training delivery and program infrastructure

3.2.d Tuition reimbursement, continuing education, and career development

3.3 Technology-related safety, health, and accommodation

3.3.a Ergonomic and physical safety protections

3.3.b Technology risk management, maintenance, and safety training

3.3.c Digital and psychological safety

3.3.d Reasonable accommodation and accessibility

4. Governance of workplace technology applications

4.1 Electronic monitoring and surveillance technologies

4.1.a Union rights and employer obligations for monitoring and surveillance

4.1.b Employee notification, disclosure, and training on monitoring technologies

4.1.c Permitted and limited uses of monitoring and surveillance technologies

4.1.d Prohibitions on surveillance technology use

4.1.e Conditions for use of electronic monitoring systems and data

4.2 Human resources and workforce management technologies

4.2.a Hiring, promotion, and evaluation technologies

4.2.b Payroll and time and attendance management systems

4.2.c Workforce scheduling systems

4.3 Work task technologies and applications

4.3.a Governance of technology integration into job functions

4.3.b Control, ownership, and protection of personal and professional autonomy

4.3.c Equity in technology access, resources, and compensation

4.3.d Job classification, performance metrics, and disciplinary safeguards

4.3.e Technology system oversight and accountability

4.4 Examples of specific types of technologies covered in contracts

5. Participation in technology governance

5.1 Collaboration purpose and scope

5.1.a Technology system research and planning

5.1.b Technological change planning and effects analysis

5.1.c Technology training and retraining program development

5.1.d Technology health and safety assessment and oversight

5.1.e Technology implementation and post-implementation evaluation

5.1.f Technology system review and oversight

5.1.g Technology system problem resolution

5.2 Structural elements of collaboration and participation

5.2.a Committee composition and representation

5.2.b Compensation and remuneration for participation

5.2.c Resource allocation

5.2.d Level of authority

5.2.e Joint committees and bargaining rights

5.2.f Living agreements for partnership structures

5.3 Operational guidelines and processes for collaboration

5.3.a Timeline to form a committee or workgroup

5.3.b Notice requirements for participation

5.3.c Information sharing

5.3.d Meeting guidelines and procedures

5.4 Skills and capabilities for collaboration

5.4.a Training for labor-management collaboration

5.4.b Dispute resolution

5.4.c Partnership evaluation

5.5 Examples of participation frameworks

6. Other workplace technology provisions

6.1 Data collection, rights, and security

6.1.a Data collection guidelines and prohibitions

6.1.b Data privacy and security

6.1.c Data rights and access

6.2 Remote work and telework

6.2.a Technology and infrastructure support

6.2.b Finanical compensation and expense coverage

6.2.c Oversight, equity, and monitoring

6.2.d Telework program terms and continuity

A key to union acronyms included in this inventory

Participation in technology governance

5.1.d Technology health and safety assessment and oversight

Some provisions, negotiated by unions, aim to ensure their participation in assessing the health and safety implications of new technologies. These include assessments of ergonomic risks, environmental factors, and other harms related to digital systems and equipment, with the goal of identifying preventive measures and recommending corrective actions.

Review environmental and ergonomic factors related to computer usage, monitor-related issues, workstation arrangement, insufficient workspace, and potential health and safety effects and make recommendations on corrective actions for identified issues. (NFFE-OPM61)
Study the new technology system to identify potential health and safety issues affecting employees and provide recommendations to address these concerns. (POPA-OPM66; NFFE-OPM61).

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5.1.e Technology implementation and post-implementation evaluation

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