Examples of participation frameworks
Negotiating Tech: An Inventory of U.S. Union Contract Provisions for the Digital Age
Participation in technology governance
5.5 Examples of participation frameworks
Union agreements have established a variety of joint committees and workgroups to support meaningful participation in decisions related to technology, training, workplace transformation, and remote work. These structures differ in scope and authority but share a common function: to formalize labor’s role in shaping how new systems, practices, and tools are introduced and governed. The examples below are organized by their primary focus area.
Wearables and Health Technology Committees
Committees focused on the evaluation, regulation, and governance of wearable technologies and worker health-related tools.
- Joint Sensors Committee (NFLPA-PCBA5)
- Joint Committee on Wearable Technology (JCWT) (MLBPA-PCBA6)
- The Wearables Committee (NBPA-OLMS1)
Technology and Automation Committees
Committees dedicated to overseeing workplace technology systems, digital innovation, and automation processes.
- Joint Committee to Study the Automated Patent System (POPA-OPM66)
- Software Advisory Committee (SAC) (CWA-PCBA44)
- Information Technology Committee (AFGE-OPM41)
- Joint Information Technology (IT) Task Group (AFGE-OPM41)
- Technology Committee (AFGE-OPM113)
- Joint Technology Committee (NWSEO-OPM112)
- Joint Technology Advisory Committee (JTAC) (AALJ-IFPTE-OPM6)
- Standing Information Technology Committee (CTU-AFT-PCBA11)
- Information Technology Policy Committee (AFT-PCBA108)
- Committee for Technological Change (IBT-PCBA7)
- Standing Joint SubCommittee on Automation (POPA-OPM66)
Training and Education Committees
Committees that design or oversee training programs, educational initiatives, and workforce development strategies.
- National Training and Education Committee (NTEC) (AFGE-OPM125)
- Joint Motor Vehicle Service (MVS) Committee on Training (APWU-PCBA14)
- Distance Learning Plan Committee (WTA-OLMS29)
- Distance Learning Committee (AFT-PCBA106)
Workplace Change and Implementation Committees
Committees responsible for guiding implementation, restructuring, or broader organizational transformation.
- Design or Implementation Committee (IBT-OLMS51)
- Labor Management Implementation Teams (IBT-OLMS51)
- En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) Implementation and Deployment Workgroup (NATCA-OPM98; PASS-OPM1)
- Workplace of the Future Committee (NFFE-OPM61)
- Labor Management Partnership (KLMP-PCBA55; AHCU-PCBA23; CKPU-PCBA15)
Telework and Remote Work Committees
Committees focused on shaping telework policy, remote work systems, and hybrid workplace structures.
- Telework Committee (AFGE-OPM40)
- Joint Teleworking Committee (NTEU-OPM20)