Microsoft Word - WP Unions and Technology 11-17-20 FINAL

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WORKING PAPER, TECHNOLOGY AND WORK PROGRAM |  NOVEMBER 2020

UnionCollectiveBargainingAgreement

StrategiesinResponsetoTechnology

LisaKresge

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LeadResearcher,TechnologyandWorkProgram

UCBerkeleyLaborCenter

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CenterforLaborResearchandEducation

UniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley

Contents

Introduction........................................................................................................................................1

I. Preemptiverightsanddecision‐makingregardingnewtechnology............................................1

1.a. Labor‐managementcooperationclauses.............................................................................2

1.b. Jointlabor‐managementcommittees..................................................................................3

1.c. Researchstudiesandplanning.............................................................................................4

1.d. ‘Unionrights’clauses...........................................................................................................5

1.e. Technologyrestrictionclauses.............................................................................................7

II. Implementation:Introductionorroll‐outofnewtechnologyintofirm...................................8

2.a. Jobdisplacement.................................................................................................................8

2.b. Jobprotectionandjobtransfers..........................................................................................9

2.c. Wageandbenefitprotection.............................................................................................10

2.d. Jobrestructuringandincreasedproductivity.....................................................................10

2.e. Unionjurisdiction...............................................................................................................11

2.f. Workforcetrainingandtechnology....................................................................................11

2.g. Comprehensivetechnologytransitionplans......................................................................13

III. Roleoftechnologyinworkforcemanagement......................................................................15

3.a. Monitoring,surveillance,andemployeeprivacy................................................................15

3.b. Internet,socialmedia,andemail.......................................................................................18

3.c. Scheduling..........................................................................................................................19

3.d. Telework............................................................................................................................19

3.e. Occupationalhealthandsafety..........................................................................................20

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UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 1 

Introduction

Thisworkingpaperoutlinescurrentandhistoricalunionresponsestotechnologicalchangeinthe

US.Thepurposeofthisdocumentistoprovideasnapshotofhowunionsleveragetheircollective

bargainingagreementstoaddresstechnologicalchange.Astheexamplesinthisworkingpaper

illustrate,unionshavebeenbargainingovertechnology

intheworkplaceforalongtime‐‐several

oftheexamplesdatebacktothe1940s.Someoftheearlierprovisionsallowedunionstoblockthe

introductionoftechnologyintheworkplacealtogether.However,unionshavealsofocusedon

negotiatingstrongprovisionsthatprovidetheunionandworkerswithconsultation

and

codeterminationrightsandsomedegreeofeconomicsecuritywithnewtechnologiesinthe

workplace.Unionshavesuccessfullynegotiatedprovisionsthatprovidetheunionwithsufficient

warning,information,andvoicetohelpmitigatetheeffectsoftechnologicalchangeinthe

workplace.Severalprovisionsprotectworkersfromdisplacementorjobdegradationwhile

others

outlinetheprocessforimplementingtechnologicalchangeorestablishaframeworkfortraining

aroundnewtechnologies.

Thisworkingpaperdrawsfromcurrentandhistoriccollectivebargainingagreements;scholarly

researchandgovernmentagencyreportsthatanalyzecollectivebargainingagreementsandother

unionresponsestotechnology;interpretationsofNLRBrulingsand

guidanceinrelationto

technologyintheworkplace;andreportingfromthepopularpressandotheronlinesources.The

workingpaperincludesthreesections.

1. Thefirstsectionhighlightscollectivebargainingagreement(CBA)provisionsfocusedon

establishingrespectiverightsandrolesregardingthedecisiontoadoptandimplementnew

technology.

2. ThesecondsectionoutlinesCBAprovisionsdesignedtomitigatetheintroductionofnew

technologyintheworkplace.

3. ThethirdsectionpresentsCBAprovisionsrelatedtotheuseoftechnologyinworkforce

management.

I. Preemptiverightsanddecision‐makingregardingnew

technology

UnionssometimesincludelanguageinCBAsthatestablish,inadvance,theirrightsandroles

regardingthedecisiontoadoptandimplementnewtechnology.Insomecases,theCBAsoutline

specificproceduresforhowlaborandmanagementwillcollaborativelyaddresstechnological

changeintheworkplace.Inadditiontoprovidingabriefoverview

ofpreemptiverightsclauses,this

sectionhighlightssomeofthecollaborativelabor‐managementeffortsincludingcooperation

agreements,committees,researchstudies,andworkforceplanning.

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 2 

1.a. Labor‐managementcooperationclauses

Labor‐managementcooperationclausesessentiallycombinemanagementrightsandunionrights

clausesintooneclause.Theseclausesstipulateaunion’s“pledgetocooperate”alongwith

management’spromisetomakeeffortstomitigatethenegativeimpactoftechnologicalchangeson

theworkforce.Someoftheseclausesarepartofcomprehensivetechnologytransition

plans

negotiatedbyaunion(Seethetechnologytransitionplansectionbelow).

Someexamplesoflabor‐managementcooperationclausesinclude:

 Commitmenttoinnovation:Thelanguageusedinlabor‐managementcooperationclauses

oftenhighlightsajointcommitmenttotechnologicalinnovationandchange.Forexample,

oneCBAstatesthat“Thepartiessupporttechnologicaladvancement,recognizingthatitis

necessarytoensureanexpandingeconomy”andanotherCBAincludesastatementof

commitment“toseekingoutnewtechnologiestoachievemaximumefficiencyinthe

interest

ofremainingcompetitiveandpreservingjobsforthelongterm”(See2019SEIU‐

OPEUcontract,p.99‐100;2012IAMAWcontract,p.63‐64).

 Commitmenttonegotiation:Somelabor‐managementcooperationclausesspecifytheright

ofmanagementtodeterminetechnologyintheworkplacewhilealsorecognizingthe

statutoryrightoftheuniontobargain(andmanagementobligationtobargain)overthe

impactoftechnologyintheworkplaceortherightoftheuniontoenterintoagrievance

procedureintheeventofanadverseimpact

(See2013AFGEcontract,p.103andDOL

(1966)analysisofCBAs,p.19‐23,35).Otherlabor‐managementcooperationclausesoutline

aprocessforintroducingnewtechnologyintotheworkplacethatrequirestheemployer

andtheuniontoenterintoajointagreementprocesstonegotiatenewtechnologies(See

2012IAMAWcontract,p.58).

 Cooperativeagreements:Labor‐managementcooperationclausesmayincludelanguage

thatspecifiesunionandmanagementagreementsrelatedtonewtechnologies.For

example,someclausesspecifythattheunionagreestocooperatewithtechnological

changesontheconditionthatmanagementagreestoprovidejobsecurityandnecessary

training,orprotectjobpositions/levelor“grade”,wages,payrates,workload,crewsizes,or

working

conditions(SeeDOL(1966)analysisofCBAs,p.34‐35);and2015CWA‐BellSouth

contract,p.376).

 Collaborationonspecifictechnologicalchanges:Somelabor‐managementcooperation

clausesfocusonspecificplansfortechnologicalchange(SeetheKaiserLMPthetechnology

transitionplansectionbelow).

 

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 3 

1.b. Jointlabor‐managementcommittees

Jointlabor‐managementcommitteesrepresentonestrategyforunionstohavesomeinputin

decisionsandplansforimplementingtechnologicalchangeintheworkplace.Technologicalchange

committeesoftenincludeequalrepresentationfromtheunionandemployer,withvariationson

employeerepresentativeselectionprocedures.However,someprovisionsalsoinclude“impartial

representatives”such

asfederalofficialsorexternalrepresentativeschosenbytheunionand

management(SeetheTeamstersandCaliforniaProcessorsandGrowersAssociationcommittee

provisioninDOL(1966),p.35‐36;oranotherprovisiononp.58;alsosee2017AFSCMEcontract,

p.163and2018IBT‐UPScontract,p.17).

Examplesofjointlabor‐managementcommitteeprovisions:

 Advisoryandnegotiationcommittees:Inmanycontractstheprimarytaskofthecommittee

istoproviderecommendationsortodevelopaplanforhowtoimplementthenew

technologyintotheworkplace.Someoftheseclausesemphasizethatthecommitteeserves

onlyanadvisoryroleorasameanstooverseechangesinworkingconditions(SeeDOL

(1949),p.38‐43);whileothersincludedetailsregardinggrievanceandarbitration

proceduresfordisputesinthecommittee(SeeDOL(1966),p.35‐36).

 Automationtransitioncommittees:Somecommitteeclausesarepartofcomprehensive

technologytransitionplansnegotiatedbyunions.Forexample,oneearlycontractprovision

setupan“automationfund"administeredbyajointcommitteeoflaborandmanagement

withanimpartialrepresentativeto:studyproblemsrelatedtotheir“modernization

program,”makerecommendationsforsolutions,identifyandpromoteemployment

opportunitiestoemployersimpactedby

changes,providetrainingfornewjobrequirements

associatedwithtechnologicalchange,compensatemovingexpensesforemployeeswho

transfertoanotherlocationinthecompany,developtechnologyimplementationplan

outliningtermsofseniorityrights,transfers,andjobrelocations,amongotherprovisions

(SeeDOL(1966),p.58‐59;alsosee2017AFSCMEand

SEIUcontract,p.56‐57;2019SEIU‐

OPEUcontract,p.99‐100;andthetechnologytransitionplansectionbelow).

 Careerladdercommittees:Othercommitteesfocusonadaptingcareerladdersto

technologicalchangesintheworkplace.Forexample,oneunionnegotiateda“Committee

forTechnologicalChangeandAutomation”thatmeetstodiscussjobtransitions,job

restructuring,careerladderrealignment,jobtrainingplans,healthandsafety,etc.(See

2014NAGEcontract,p.60‐62).Similarly,SEIU‐UHWandKaiserPermanentesetupa

joint

labor‐managementcommitteetoaddress‘advancesandattrition’intechnologyand

changingworkforceneeds.Thecommittee’sroleistoassess:technologicalchanges,

potentialjobrestructuring,trainingprogramrequirementstoachieve“modality

competency”,andfuturecareerladdersassociatedwiththesechanges(See2012SEIU‐UHW

andKaisercontract,p.230‐231,284‐286,362‐372).

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 4 

 Employeeparticipationandunion‐managementcooperationcommittees:Somecommittee

provisionsfocusonthecommittee’sroleinfacilitatinglong‐termcollaborationtodiscuss

ongoingorganizationalchangesandfutureneeds.Somecontractsoutlinetheunion’s

participatoryroleinthefutureofthecompanyintermsofengineeringanddesigndecisions,

pursuingnewbusinessopportunities,monitoringthequalityofmanufacturing,developing

products,and

developingtrainingprogramsfornewtechnology.A2012CWA‐Qwest

contractoutlinesacommitteedesignedto“reviewthe[technologicalchange]planpriorto

itsimplementation,discussalternativesandresolutionstosuchsituations,andsponsorthe

implementation”(p.129‐130)(Alsosee2015APWUcontract,p.6‐7,102‐103).

1.c. Researchstudiesandplanning

Oneofthemostcomprehensiveapproachesforunionstohavearoleinshapingthescopeand

impactoftechnologyintheworkplaceisthroughresearchandstudyprovisions(oftenintheform

ofstudygroups,committees,ortaskforces).Provisionsstipulatingresearchandstudiesonthe

impactoftechnologyon

theworkplaceareoftenpartofajointlabormanagementcommittee.How

thecommitteesuseoftheinformationcollectedvariessubstantially:somecontractsspecify

negotiationovertheresultsofthestudy,somecontractsincludespecifictopicsforresearch,some

outlinefundingsourcesforthestudy,whileothersrestricttheintroduction

oftechnologytoatrial

periodtostudytheimpactoftechnologyandstatethatthefinaldecisionregardingthenew

technologyshallbecontingentupontheoutcomeoftheresearch.

Unionsmayalsosuggestinitiatingastudyonceacompanynotifiesthemofachange.Forexample,

theAmalgamatedClothing

andTextileWorkersUnion/UnionofNeedletrades,Industrial,and

TextileEmployees(UNITE)counteredXerox’sproposaltosubcontractsomedepartmentsand

requestedthattheysetupajointlabor‐managementcommitteetostudyalternativeoptionsfor

keepingthejobsinhouse.Thecollaborativeprocessforidentifyingefficiencyandproductivity

improvementsremainedin

placeafterthespecificdiscussionsconcluded(SeeHansen(2009),p.26,

andKochan(1999)foradescriptionoftheUNITE(ACTWU)andXeroxjointlabor‐management

committee;DOL(1972),p.21).

Examplesofresearchandplanningprovisions:

 Researchstudyfunding:Somecontractsestablishfundstofinancestudiesoftheimpactof

thetechnologicalchangeontheworkforce(Seedescriptionofjointagreementsin

meatpackingindustryinDOL(1966),p.35,58‐59).Employerfirmsoftenprovidethefunding

forresearch,butsomestudyprovisionsstipulategovernmentfundingaswell.Forexample,

TeamstersandCaliforniaProcessorsandGrowersAssociationcommitteeincludesfundingfromthe

StateandFederalGovernmenttostudyeffectsoftechnologyinthecanningindustry(See

DOL

(1966),p.35‐36).

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 5 

 Researchtopics:Somecontractsoutlinespecificresearchtopics,suchashownew

technologywillimpactearnings,seniority,conditionsofwork,paceofwork/ratesand

workloadsonjobs(SeeDOL(1949),p.38‐43;DOL(1972),p.21).Othercontractscreate

committees“toidentifypotentialcostsavingsand/orproductivity/efficiency

enhancement/improvements”(See2017UFCW‐MCGEOcontract,p.81).

 Trialperiodsandpost‐studynegotiation:Somecontractsspecifytrialperiodsforthe

introductionofnewtechnologytoallowforananalysisofworkingconditions,potentialjob

loss,andtermsofwork.Otherprovisionsspecifythatemployeesreceivepayguaranteesfor

trialandexperimentalperiodsandthatanyissuesidentifiedduringthetrialperiodare

subjecttoarbitrationorgrievanceprocedures.Andsomecontracts

requirenegotiation

regardingtheimpactonworkloadorworkingconditionswiththeintroductionofnew

technologiesaftercompletionofthestudy(SeeDOL(1949),p.38‐43;DOL(1966)

,p.36;and

NEAReport(1999a),p.57‐60).

 Workforceplanningandforecasting:Aslightvariationtotheresearchandstudyprovisions

areworkforceplanningandforecastingprovisions.TheKaiserPermanenteLabor

ManagementPartnershipcontractsincludesomeofthemostcomprehensiveworkforce

planningprovisions.Thecontractsoutlinejointlabor‐managementstaffingplansassociated

withnewtechnologies.Forexample,oneSEIU‐UHWcontractincludesasectiononjob

security,education,andtrainingthatoutlines

theareastheemployerandunioncanwork

togethertoaddress"futureemploymentneeds"and"enhancetheskills,andtherefore

marketabilityandemployabilityoftheworkforce”;thejointeffortincludesaplanto

conduct“workforceforecasting,utilization,andplanning”,inwhichtheywill:"Forecastand

communicatefuturejobtrendand

emergingskillrequirementstoEmployees,aswellas

licenseandcertificationchanges,andnewtechnologiesaffectingfuturecareers,”;the

contractalsooutlinesspecificin‐housejobtrainingprograms(See2012SEIU‐UHWand

Kaisercontract,p.362‐372;andKaiser2012NationalAgreement,p.26‐36).

1.d. ‘Unionrights’clauses

‘Unionrights’clausesinrelationtomanagementdecision‐makingtointroducetechnologyincludea

varietyofprovisionsaimedtoguaranteeunionnotificationofnewtechnology,insertunionvoicein

thedecision‐makingprocessregardingnewtechnology,andensureunionparticipationinthe

decisionssurroundingtheimplementationofnewtechnologyinthe

workplace.Themost

comprehensive‘unionrights’clausesoutlineallthreelevelsofrights.



UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 6 

Threetypesof‘unionrights’clausesinclude:

 Righttoinformationandnotification

○ Themostcommon‘unionrights’provisionistherighttoadvancednotificationabout

anyproposedtechnologicalchangesintheworkplace.

○ Inadditiontoadvancedpriornoticetotheunionregardingtheintroductionofnew

technology,someprovisionsdesignatethetimeperiodofnotification.Forexample,

UNITEHEREnegotiateda

165daynoticepriortotheintroductionofnewtechnologies

forMarriottHotelworkers(SeeWinslow,2018).Somealsorequireadetailedoutlineof

theanticipatedchanges,includingtherighttoknowabouttheuse/purposeofthenew

technologyandtheimpactonjobduties(seeDOL(1949)analysisofCBAs,p.38‐43;also

seediscussionofIAMinAshfordandAyers(1987),p.854;2018IBT‐UPScontract,p.17;

and2012CWA‐ATTcontract,p.47‐48).

○ Somecontractsoutlinethespecificrequirementsforamanagementnotificationletter,

whichcouldinclude:detailedinformationaboutthenatureofchanges;howoperations

willchangeasaresultofnewtechnology;hownewtechnologywilllikelyimpact

employeesincludinglocations,employeejobsecurity,jobtitles,anddepartments;

descriptionofwork/jobs

associatedwithnewtechnology,andestimatednumberof

employeesneededtoperformworkassociatedwithnewtechnology;andtimelinefor

implementationofnewtechnology(See2016CWA‐Vassarcontract,p.62).

○ Anothercontractprovisionstrategyistospecifytherightofthebargainingunitto

accessinformationgeneratedbynewtechnology(See2017MLBcontractp.334‐335;

2017NBAcontract,p.361).

 Righttonegotiatepriortoimplementation

○ Another‘unionrights’clausestrategyassertstheunion'srighttonegotiatewith

managementregardingtheeffectsofthenewtechnologyonjobsaswellasthestrategy

forintroducingthenewtechnologybeforeimplementationofthetechnology.

○ SomeCBAsspecifytherighttobargainoveranychangestowages,

jobtitles,workload,

hoursofwork,workingconditions,wageraterevisionforchangesinproduction,and

impactonwagesinpiece‐ratepaysystems.SomeoftheseCBAsspecifytherightofthe

uniontonegotiatethetermsforhowthetechnologywillbeimplemented‐i.e.timing,

workgroupphase‐

in,sometimeswithtrialperiodsfornegotiations(SeeDOL(1949)CBA

analysis,p.38‐47;NEAReport(1999b),p.133‐134;andWinslow(2018)andDiaz(2018)

regardingUNITEHERE’s2018negotiations).

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 7 

○ Anotherapproachrequiresthatmanagementdiscussthechangeswiththeunionto

identifywaystolessentheimpactofnewtechnologyandtoidentifynecessarytraining

requirements(See2016CWA‐Vassarcontract,p.62‐63).

 Righttoparticipateindecision‐makingprocessregardingnewtechnology

○ Themostexpansivelevelof‘unionrights’clausesassertstheunion’srighttoengagein

thestrategicdecision‐makingsurroundingtheadoptionofnewtechnologies.

○ SomeCBAprovisionsspecifytherightoftheuniontomakeafinaldecisionregarding

theimplementationofnewtechnologies.Forexample,someprovisions

require

"consultation,review,ornegotiation"beforeadoptionoftechnology,withsome

stipulatingthatemployeeshadcontroloverthedecisiontoadoptornotadopta

technology(SeeNEAReport(1999a),p.56‐60)whileothersspecifythat"affected

employeesshallbeinvolvedinselectionandimplementationoftechnologicalchanges”

(SeeNEAReport(1999b),p.130).

○ Similarly,someCBAsoutlinetherightoftheuniontoparticipateintechnological

changesviaconsultationregardingthepotentialchanges,withfinaldecisionsubjectto

advancedunionapproval,ortoagrievanceprocedure,negotiationorarbitration(See

DOL(1949)CBAanalysis,p.38‐47).

1.e. Technologyrestrictionclauses

Technologyrestrictionclauses,morecommoninthemid‐20thCentury,establishlimitationson

management’srighttointroducenewtechnology.Inrecentyears,unionshaveincludedprovisions

thatestablishrestrictions,orconditions,onhowmanagementcanimplementnewtechnologies.

Forexample,the2018TeamsterscontractwithUPSprohibitstheuseoflie

detectortestsasa

conditionforemployment,amongstotherrestrictions(See2018IBT‐UPSCBA,p.33‐34).

Someexamplesoftechnologyrestrictionclausesinclude:

 Prohibitionsontechnologyadoption:Someprovisionsestablishprohibitionsonintroducing

newtechnologyduringstrikes.Otherprovisionsplacerestrictionsonextraneoususesof

thetechnology(suchasimpropersurveillance),restrictionsonnewtechnologyfrom

increasingworkloadsofemployees,orprohibitmanagementfromtakingdisciplinary

actionsrelatedtooperatingnewtechnology(SeeDOL(1949)CBAanalysis,p.36‐38;2018

IBT‐UPSCBA,p.20).

 Limitationsorconditionsontheuseofnewtechnologies:Ratherthanestablishing

prohibitionsontheadoptionoftechnology,otherprovisionsplacelimitsontheuseofnew

technologies.Forexample,someprovisionslimittheintroductionofnewtechnologyonlyto

addressworkloadoverflow.Otherprovisionsestablishrequirementsforaminimumnumber

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 8 

ofworkerstooperateequipment(forsafetyconcerns)orrequirementsforproper

permitting,safetyandhealthproceduresfornewtechnology(SeeDOL(1949)CBAanalysis,

p.36‐38).

II. Implementation:Introductionorroll‐outofnew

technologyintofirm

SomeCBAsincludelanguagethatoutlinestheparametersandproceduresforimplementingnew

technologyintheworkplace.Thissectionprovidesabriefoverviewofclausesdesignedto:protect

incumbentworkersjobsandcompensationpackages,addresschangesinjobtasksandquality,

protectorbolsterbargainingunitjurisdiction,addressjobdisplacementand

retraining,andprovide

opportunitiesforworkforcedevelopmenttoadapttotechnologicalchange.Theendofthissection

featuressomeexamplesofthemorecomprehensivetechnologytransitionplansnegotiatedbya

fewunions.

2.a. Jobdisplacement

Jobdisplacementprovisionsareasetoftechnology‐relatedclausescommonlyfoundinCBAs.These

clausesoutlineprocessestoaddressjoblossduetotechnologicalchangesintheworkplace.The

topicscoveredintheseclausesincludelayoffprocedures,severance/dismissalpay,supplemental

unemployment,andearlyretirement.SomeCBAsincludethesejobdisplacement

clausesasaside‐

letterorstandalonesectionthatoutlinesacomprehensivetransitionplan,or‘automationtransition

plan.’Oftenthesejobdisplacementtransitionplansarepartofalabormanagementpartnershipor

cooperationagreement(Seethetechnologytransitionplansectionbelow).

Someexamplesofjobdisplacementclausesinclude:

 Layoffsandseniority:Clausesthataddresslayoffsoftenfocusonseniority,specifyingthat

senioremployeesreceiveprioritytokeepremainingjobsorpriorityfornewjobs.Somejob

displacementprovisionsoutlinethetimingforthephase‐inoftechnologyorautomation

andthelayoffschedulefordifferentsegmentsoftheworkforce(SeeDOL(1949),p.48‐54;

DOL(1972),p.19‐21;2017UFCW‐MCGEOcontract,p.46‐47;2017OPEIUcontract,p.33).

 Compensation:Manyjobdisplacementclausesoutlineseverancepay,earlyretirement

packages,orsupplementalunemploymentbenefitsforworkersimpactedbynew

technologies.Forexample,oneunioncreatedaprovisionoutlininganearlyretirement

buyoutprogramforseniormembers(e.g.53+workersget80‐85%ofannualsalaryuntil65)

(SeeDOL(1972),p.19‐21;DOL(1956),p.38;

2012SEIU‐UHW‐Kaisercontract,p.257‐272,381‐

389;alsosee2015CWA‐BellSouthcontractp.111‐124;andthetechnologytransitionplan

section).

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 9 

 Automationfunds:Someunionshavesuccessfullynegotiated‘automationfunds’.The

automationfundsprovidedismissalpayandearlyretirementpackagestodisplaced

workers.Forexample,theILWUandILAnegotiatedforautomationfundsthatsupported

displacedworkersandprovidedaguaranteedweeklyincome(SeeCQResearcher(1963);

alsoseeUAWinthetechnologytransitionplansection;2012SEIU‐UHW‐Kaisercontract,p.365).

2.b. Jobprotectionandjobtransfers

Unlikejobdisplacementclauses,jobprotectionorjobsecurityclausesprotectexistingemployees,

especiallyemployeeswithseniority,fromjoblossduetonewtechnologies.Theseclauseseither

stipulateaguaranteeofjobsecurityoroutlinejobtransferprocesses.Insomecases,thesejob

protectionclausesaddressmultipleissuesthatmightthreaten

jobs,notjusttechnologicalchange

(e.g.subcontracting,transfers,etc.).

Oftenunionshavedevelopedthesejobprotectionorsecurityprovisionsaspartofalabor‐

managementcooperationagreementorcomprehensivejobdisplacementplan.Forexample,inone

labor‐managementagreementdevelopedinthe1990sleadinguptoaplantrelocationand

upgrade

inafoodprocessorplant,theunionandtheemployerdevelopedalabor‐managementcooperation

agreementinwhichtheemployeragreedtoa“no‐layoff”guaranteeandawageprotection

guaranteeforworkersdisplacedbynewtechnologyandtheunionagreedtoflexiblework

arrangementsduringthetransitionalongwith

atemporarysuspensionofseniorityrightsforjob

transfersandworkrestructuring.(SeeFernandez(2001),p.7;alsoseetheKaiserLMPinthe

technologytransitionplansectionbelow).

Someexamplesofjobprotectionprovisions:

 Layoffprohibitions:Somejobprotectionprovisionssimplyprohibitdisplacement,

dismissals,layoffsordemotionsduetonewtechnologyand/orprohibitreductioninnumber

ofbargainingunitpositions(SeeDOL(1949),p.48;DOL(1972),p.19‐21).

 Jobtransfers:Manyjobprotectionclausesguaranteeatransfertoanewpositionfor

individualsdisplacedbytechnologyoratleastspecifythatdisplacedemployeeswillreceive

preferenceinfuturevacancies.Theseprovisionsoftenoutlinetheprocessfortransferto

anotherjobwithinanexistingfacility,ordifferentlocationwithinthecompany.Other

clausesdescribetheapplicationprocessfornewpositionsorsetupan

internaljob

placementcommittee(SeeDOL(1949),p.49‐51;2017 UFCW‐MCGEOcontract,p.43‐44;and

2019SEIU‐OPEUcontract,p.99‐100;alsoseethetechnologytransitionplansectionbelow).

 Seniorityprotections:Otherjobprotectionprovisionsspecifyprotectionsfordifferent

classesofworkersbasedongrandfatherclausesoryearsofservice.Insomecases,clauses

specifythatemployeemembersarenotrequiredtotransitiontonewtechnology,buthave

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 10

priorityshouldtheychoosetoadoptthenewtechnology(SeeNEAReport(1999a),p.56‐7;

andDOL(1949),42‐43,49‐54).

2.c. Wageandbenefitprotection

Wageandbenefitprotectionclausesareothercommonclausesusedtoaddresstheimpactofnew

technologyintheworkplace.These‘compensationprotection’clausesattempttomaintainwage

levelsand/orworkhours.

Someexamplesofwageandbenefitprotectionprovisions:

 Guaranteedincome:Somecontractsinclude"guaranteedincomeandworkhours"ora

“work‐incomeagreement"thatprovideaminimumguaranteeforhoursandbasesalaryora

maintenanceofpreviousearningswiththeonsetofnewtechnology(SeeDOL(1949)

analysis,p.48‐49;alsoseethetechnologytransitionplansectionbelow).

 Transitionwagesandbenefits:Anothertypeofclausesetsupascheduleforpaychanges

associatedtotransfertolowerwagepositions(SeetheReassignmentPayProtectionPlanin

2015CWA‐BellSouthcontract,p.111‐124;2015CWA‐ATTcontract,p.69‐70).

2.d. Jobrestructuringandincreasedproductivity

Jobrestructuringandincreasedproductivityprovisionsaresimilartocompensationprotection

provisions,butinsteadfocusonchangesinworkingconditionsassociatedwithnewtechnologies,

suchaschangesinworkload,tasks,responsibilities,workschedules,orpaceofwork.

Someexamplesofjobrestructuringandincreasedproductivityprovisions:

 Jobrestructuring:Somejobrestructuringclausesseektolimitchanges(increases)inpaceof

work,targetgoals,production,speed,orworkloadassociatedwiththeadoptionofnew

technology,orrequirenegotiationorarbitrationoverjobchanges(SeeDOL(1949)analysis,

p.43‐47;NEAReport(1999a),p.56‐60).

 Productivitygains:Otherjobrestructuringclausesseektoattachincreasedcompensation

andbenefitsforanyjobchangesassociatedwithnewtechnology.Forexample,oneunion

hascraftedprovisions‐annualbonuses,specializedscheduling,increasedtime‐off,and

limitstoovertime‐toaddresschangingstaffinglevelsforworkerswhoworkinfacilitiesthat

nowoperatecontinuouslyduetoautomation(See

NEAReport(1999a),p.56‐57).Some

compensationprotectionclausesaddressreducedworkloadsspecifyingthatmembers

maintainpaywhileworkingfewerhoursasameasuretopreventlayoffs.Otherprovisions

specifyanincreaseinwagestoaccompanytheincreasedproductivityresultingfrom

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 11

technologyandreductioninlabor(i.e.technologicalinnovationsrequiringfewerpeople

shallbeaccompaniedwithincreasedwages).

2.e. Unionjurisdiction

Unionjurisdictionprovisionssetouttoprotectorexpandthebargainingunitduringjob

restructuringassociatedwithnewtechnologiesintheworkplace.Theseprovisionsprovidean

opportunityforunionstoexpandmembershipwiththenewonsetoftechnologiesintheworkplace.

Someexamplesofunionjurisdictionprovisions:

 Unionjurisdictionprotection:Somecontractsinsertlimitationsonshiftingworkoutsideof

thebargainingunit,specifyingthatanynewjobscreatedbytheintroductionofnew

technologymustfallwithinthepurviewoftheunion.Forexample,oneunioncontract

specifiesthattheemployerprovidetrainingtounionmaintenancepersonnelonanynew

equipmentintroducedintheworkplaceandstipulatesthatthemaintenance

contract

periodaccompanyingthenewequipmentmustbeusedasatrainingperiodforin‐house

maintenancestaff(SeeDOL(1972),p.20,2012CWA‐Qwestcontract(p.9‐11),inadditionto

theKaiserLMPdocumentsinthetechnologytransitionplansectionbelow).

 Unionjurisdictionexpansion:Otherunionjurisdictionprovisionsspecifythatpersons

coveredbythecontractmustbegivenpreferenceforemploymentassociatedwithany

additionalworkcreatedbynewtechnologyorthatnewjobsfallwithinthebargainingunit.

Forexample,theTeamsters2018contractstipulatesthatanynewrolesortaskscreatedby

technologyrelevanttotheworkofthebargaining

unitwillbeassignedtobargainingunit

employeesandaccompaniedbytrainingonthenewtechnology(2018IBT‐UPScontract,pg.

18).(Seealso2014LIUNAcontract,p.22;2017OPEIUcontract,p.33;2015APWUcontract,

p.7).

2.f. Workforcetrainingandtechnology

ManyCBA’sincludeworkforcetrainingprovisionsassociatedwithtechnology.Theworkforce

trainingprovisionscoveravarietyoftopicsrangingfromsimplerequirementsthatemployers

providetrainingfornewtechnologytocomprehensivetrainingprogramsfornewtechnologies.

Sometechnology‐relatedworkforcetrainingprovisionsspecifydetailsaboutwhichworkerswill

receivepriorityfor

training,thescopeoftrainingtobeprovided(e.g.thatanemployermust

providetrainingtoemployeesbasedonemployeeneed),ortheparametersunderwhich

employeeswillreceivetraining(e.g.compensation,time,location).



UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 12

Someexamplesoftechnology‐relatedworkforcetrainingprovisions:

 Requirementtoprovidetraining:Manyprovisionsrelatedtotrainingtomitigatetheimpact

oftechnologicalchangesimplyspecifythattheemployermustprovidetrainingonnew

technologyortrainingforexistingtechnology.Someprovisionsidentifywhichworkerswill

receivepriorityfortraining(i.e.basedonseniority).Otherprovisionsoutlinespecific

trainingandqualificationproceduresforincumbentemployeesinjobs(withinjobtitlesor

workgroups)

orforworkerstransferredtoanewposition(See2017PSMTCcontract,p.20‐

21;2015FALJcontract,p.21;2017UFCW‐MCGEOcontract,p.19;DOL(1972),p.20;and

2015CWA‐BellSouthcontract,p.168‐9and2018IBT‐UPScontract,p.17‐20).Somecontracts

stipulatethatmanagementmustprovideadequatetechnicalsupportandtrainingor

provideadditionaltrainingfor"employeeswhodemonstratedifficulty”(See2013AFGE

contract,p.103)

 Compensationfortraining:Somecontractsspecifythatemployeesmustbecompensated

fortrainingorthattheemployerwillprovidetrainingonpaidworktimeorduringworkhours.Other

provisions

outlineoptionsforemployeeleavestoobtainnecessarytrainingorprofessional

developmentopportunities(SeeDOL(1949),p.49‐50;NEAReport(1999a),p.3‐4;andNEA

Report(1999b),p.130‐131).

 Trainingstipends:Someprovisionsoutlinefundingavailableforcomprehensivetrainingand

educationtopreparefornewtechnology.Forexample,theKaiser2012NationalAgreement

describesthe"Taft‐Hartleytrusts"(SEIUMulti‐EmployerTrustandKaiserCoalitionTrust)

fundedbyKaisertohelpemployeespreparefornewtechnology(p.26‐31).Alsoseethis

2015CWA‐ATTcontractforaprovisiononfundingtrainingprogramsandstipends(p.273).

 Committees:Somecontractsestablishtraining,retraining,andcareerdevelopment

committeestoaidintheintroductionoftechnologyintheworkplace(See2015Coalitionof

KaiserPermanenteUnions‐Kaisermastercontract,p.31‐33;alsoseeexamplesfromthe

technologytransitionplansectionbelow).

 Retrainingprograms:Someprovisionsoutlinevariousretrainingprogramsforworkersto

developskillsfornewtechnologyintheworkplace.Theretrainingprogramsprovidesupport

fordisplacedworkersand/orhelpcurrentworkerscontinuetodevelopskillstoadaptto

ongoingtechnologicalinnovationsintheworkplace(SeeOTA(1983),p.38‐40andp.88‐92

andDeutsch(1987)foradescriptionofIAM,UAW,CWA,andAFL‐CIOtrainingprograms;

alsoseethetechnologytransitionplansectionbelow).Someprovisionsareveryspecific

aboutthetechnologyandtrainingprograms.Forexample,this2018UFCW‐Kaisercontract

outlinesthePharmacyTechtrainingprogramandreferstospecificcomputersystemsand

theparametersforthetraining(seeAppendixKp.60‐63).A2015CWA‐BellSouthcontract

outlinesajointcommitmenttoemployeeretentionandretrainingasdatatechnicians

(p.376)(Alsosee,2012CWA‐Qwestcontract,p.148‐150).Similarly,the

2012SEIU‐UHW‐Kaiser

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contractoutlinesseveralspecificin‐housetrainingprograms(seep.365‐372).Someunionshave

negotiatedformultistakeholderretrainingprogramsthatinvolvemultipleemployersand

governmententities(SeetheKeystoneDevelopmentPartnershipandtheDistrict1199C

TrainingandUpgradingFundinWagner(2010)).

2.g. Comprehensivetechnologytransitionplans

Someunionshavedevelopedcomprehensivetechnologytransitionplans.Theseplansareoften

explicitlyoutlinedinside‐lettersoraspartoflabormanagementagreements.Technologytransition

plans,developedeitherinanticipationoftheintroductionofnewtechnologyorforaspecific

plannedtechnologicalinnovation,oftenoutlinetheprocessforintroducingtechnological

changein

theworkplaceincludingadvancednotification,displacementmitigationstrategies,and

compensationplans.Theseplansoftenaddressmultiplestrategiestomitigatetheimpactofnew

technologyintheworkplaceincludingjobprotection,wageandbenefitprotection,job

restructuring,unionjurisdictionchanges,jobdisplacement,andworkforcetrainingandtechnology.

Someexamples

ofcomprehensivetechnologytransitionplans:

 CoalitionofKaiserPermanenteUnionsLabor‐ManagementPartnership

○ TheKaiserPermanenteandtheCoalitionofKaiserPermanenteUnionssignedalabor

managementpartnershipagreementin1997.In1999,theysignedanEmploymentand

IncomeSecurityAgreement,or‘EffectsBargainingAgreement’,which:protects

employmentsecurity,callsforflexibilityandinvolvementofemployeestohelp

implementnewsystems,developsaprocessfor

incorporatingnewjobscreatedbynew

technologyintothebargainingunit,outlinesaprocessfordisplacedemployee

redeploymentandjobtransition,guaranteestrainingandemployeepreparationfor

newtechnology,fundsacoordinatortoidentifyjobchangesanddemandsassociated

withnewtechnologyandtooverseetheimplementationoftheagreement,

andfunds

unionrepresentativesinthenewtechnologyprojectteam(See1997KPLMPFounding

Agreement;1999KPLMPEmploymentandIncomeSecurityAgreement;2012Kaiser

NationalAgreement;2015KPLMPNationalAgreement;2012SEIU‐UHW‐Kaisercontract,

p.362‐365andseep.257‐272,381‐389fortransitionplansforspecifictechnologies;and Litwin

(2011),p.871‐2).

○ Someindividualunionsalsoincludesideletterprovisionsrelatedtotechnological

change.Sideletters,forexample,outlinespecificplanstoaddressjobdisplacementdue

tomechanizationortechnologicalimprovement(suchasthetransitiontothe

computerizedhealthrecordsystemKPConnect).Theseprovisionsinclude:advanced

notice,offerofnewjoband

training,andseverancepayscaleprovisionsfor5‐year

employees,with“reasonableeffortsforemployeeswithlessthat5‐yearsofservice”

(See2012SEIU‐UHW‐Kaisercontract,p.276‐277andp.381‐389).

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 14

 CWA

○ CWAhasnegotiatedcomprehensivetechnologyagreementsoutliningverydetailed

processesformaintainingemploymentsecurityinthecontextoftechnologicalchange.

Theagreementsincludeprovisionsoutlininga‘TechnologyChangeCommittee’,

‘EmploymentSecurityPartnership’andan‘economicsecurityagreement’fortransitions

associatedwithtechnologicalchange(See2015CWA‐BellSouthcontract,p.111‐

124and

p.206‐221).

○ SomeCWAcontractsinclude:acomprehensiveoutlineofthespecificprocessforjob

transferalongwithschedulesforsupplementalincomeprotectionandemployee

terminationallowances,protectionsforemployeepay,schedulesfortransferrights,

changesinjobtitlesandclassifications(jobrestructuring),parametersforevaluation,

careerdevelopmentandretraining

programs,andtrainingandretrainingcommittees

(See2015CWA‐ATTcontract,p.69‐70,270‐73;2012CWA‐Qwestcontract,p.9‐11and

p.127‐30.Alsosee2012CWA‐ATTcontract,p.3‐31,47‐48;andAshfordandAyers(1987)

p.853).

 IAM

○ Inthe1950s,IAMbeganhostingannualtechnologyconferencestopulltogether

nationalandlocalstaffmemberstodiscussnewtechnologiesthatmightaffectthe

workplace(SeeOTA(1983),p.38‐39).

○ Intheearly1980’sIAMsetouttodevelopcomprehensivemodelcontractlanguageto

addresstechnologicalchange.Themodelcontractlanguagecovers:adefinitionofnew

technology,advancednotice,jointconsultation,jobprotection,newjobs,job

restructuring,retraining,jobtransfersandrelocations(SeeKennedy,Craypo,and

Lehman(1982)forthefullIAMmodelcontractlanguagefortechnologicalchange,

p.131‐139;alsoseeAshfordandAyers(1987),p.854).

○ IAMalsodevelopedaproposaltoamendtheNLRAandRailwayLaborActtoaddressthe

impactofnewtechnologyonworkersandunions(SeeIAMNewTechnologyBillof

Rights).

 UAW

○ Inthe1980’sand1990’s,UAWnegotiatedcomprehensivejobprotectionagreements.In

1984,UAWnegotiatedjobsecurityprogramsintheeventoftechnologicalchangeand

otheroperationalchangeswithFord,GM,andthennegotiatedasimilarprogramin

1996withChrysler.

○ TheProtectedEmployeeProgram(PEP)atFord,Job

OpportunityBank‐SecurityProgram

(JOBS)atGM,andEmploymentSecuritySystem(ESS)programatChryslerprovidedjob

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 15

securitytoworkerswithatleastoneyearofseniority.Thejobsecuritywasnot

maintainedinperiodsofproductiondecline.

○ Duringthe1980’snegotiations,UAWalsonegotiatedGuaranteedEmployment

Numbers(GEN)atFordandSecuredEmploymentLevels(SEL)atGMinaneffortto

securejobs;thesenumberswere

adjustedaspeopleretired‐theymaintained"one

positionforeverytwoemployeeswholeftthecompanybecauseofnormalattrition

(resignation,death,orretirement)”.In1993,UAWnegotiatedcontractsthatspecified

thetypesofpositionsgiventopeopleinthePEPandJOBSprograms.In2006,GM

negotiatedanearly

retirement‘buy‐out’programduringtheirbankruptcyproceedings

(SeeBlock(2006),p.7‐9).

○ Foradescriptionoftheseprograms,seeDOL(1956),p.40;AshfordandAyers(1987),

p.851‐853;OTA(1983),p.38‐39;andforadescriptionofrecentUAWeffortsinthe

educationalsettingsee2012UAWcontract,p.44‐47.Also,Guppta(2016)analyzesthe

futureofunionsintheeraofnewtechnologyinwhichhediscussesthe1990s‘KeepGM’

multi‐stakeholderpartnershipbetweenthecity,UAW,GMmanagement,andthe

UniversityofMichigan.Hollister(2016)

alsoprovidessomebackgroundonthe‘KeepGM’

movement.

III. Roleoftechnologyinworkforcemanagement 

Anothersetofclausesfocusesontheroleoftechnologyinworkforcemanagement.Althoughthis

listofprovisionsmostlikelydoesnotincludeallofthepotentialareasinwhichtechnology

intersectswithworkforcemanagement,thissectionfeaturessomecurrentissuesthathave

emergedintheworkplacealongwithsomemainstay

issuesrelatedtotechnologyintheworkplace.

Someoftheseclausesaddresstheimpactoftechnologyonemployeeprivacy,suchasemployee

monitoringandsurveillance,employeeinternetuseandsocialmediaactivities,andunionemail

communications.Thissectionalsopresentssomeunionresponsestocomputerizedscheduling

programsandalgorithms.The

finalpartofthissectionhighlightstelecommuting,andsomehealth

andsafetyclausesrelatedtotechnologyintheworkplace.

3.a. Monitoring,surveillance,andemployeeprivacy

Employersareincreasinglyadoptingemployeemonitoringandsurveillancetechnologiesasameans

ofworkforcemanagement.MonitoringorsurveillancetechnologiesincludeGPS,radiofrequency

identification(RFID),videocamera,voicerecording,andothersimilartrackingtechnologies.Other

areasoftechnologicallyenabledemployeemonitoringincludecallandcomputeractivity

(‘keystroke’)tracking,liedetectortests,

transactionmetering,wearablesensors,andhandheldor

personaldevices.Kaplan(2015)alsodescribesthescopeofmonitoring,surveillanceandscheduling

technologies(AlsoseeAdler‐BellandMiller(2018),andMateescuandNguyen(2019)).

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 16

Someunionshaverespondedtothesemanagementinnovationsbysuccessfullyincorporating

contractprovisionsthatensureemployeeandunionrightstoknowabouttheuseofthese

technologiesintheworkplaceandthatlimitemployers’useof monitoringandsurveillance

technologies.Severalsportsunionsinparticular(suchasthoserepresentingNFL,MLB,

andNBA

players)havebeguntobargainoverbiometrics(Berman2020).Someexamplesoftheseprovisions

arelistedbelow.AlsoseethisMassachusettsNursesAssociationarticleoutliningpotentialissuesto

pursueincollectivebargainingagreements(AlsoseeKissandMosco(2005)forananalysisofCBA

provisionsonelectronicmonitoringnegotiatedbyunionsoperatinginCanadaandtheUS).Inthe

absenceofbargaining,othershaveusedorganizingcampaignstopullbacktheuseofsurveillance

technologies,suchastheWestVirginiateachers’strikethatstruckdowntheuseofGO365,a

penalizingwellnessprogram(SeeGaffney

(2018)andMcAlevey(2018)).

Examplesofmonitoring,surveillanceandprivacyprovisions:

 Unionandemployeeright‐to‐knowclauses:Right‐to‐knowclausesareoneofthemost

commontypesofclausesrelatedtomonitoringandsurveillancetechnologies.These

provisionsoutlinetherighttoknow,or‘managementdisclosure’,aboutmonitoring

technologyusedintheworkplaceincludingthepurposeoftechnologyandtheimpactofthe

monitoringonjobduties.Forexample,CWAcontractsoftenincludeaprovisionaboutthe



righttoknowabouttheproceduresforcallmonitoring.AndthemostrecentNBAcontract

includesaprovisionthatallowstheplayers’uniontoretainexpertswhocanvalidate

devicesandsetcybersecuritystandardsassociatedwiththedevices.Othercontractsinclude

requirementsforemployeestoreceivetrainingandinformationabout

thefunctionalityof

thetechnologies(SeeIAMProtectingWorkerPrivacymemo;DOL(1992)analysisofprivacy

provisions(includingCWA’scontractlanguagearoundcallmonitoringonp.38‐42);2017

NBAcontract,p.359‐361;2017MLBcontractp.334‐336;2012CWA‐Qwestcontract,p.122‐

123;alsoseeWatt(2017)discussingthewearablesCBAprovision).

 Unionandemployeeparticipationandcollaborationindecision‐makingovermonitoring

technologies:Somecontractsincludeprovisionsthatoutlineavenuesfortheunionor

employeestoprovideinputintheuseofmonitoringtechnologiesintheworkplace.For

example,the2017NBAcontractcreatesajointadvisorycommitteetoreviewmonitoring

practicesandwearabletechnologiesandtheusesofsensor‐deriveddata(e.g.NBA’s

“WearablesCommittee”,p.359‐361).Similarly,theNationalFootballLeaguePlayers

Association(NFLPA)hasrecentlynegotiatedtheNFL’suseofsensors,establishinga“Joint

SensorsCommittee”withrepresentationfrombothmanagementandtheuniontoreview

andinvestigate

theNFL’suseofsensorsonanongoingbasis(SeeNFL‐NFLPACBA2020,pg.

291‐295).

 Employeedataaccessclauses:Accesstodataclausesareanothertypeofclauserelatedto

monitoringandsurveillancetechnology.Theseclausesoutlinetheemployeerighttoaccess

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 17

thedataortoreviewtheinformationgeneratedbymonitoringandtrackingtechnologies

(See2012CWA‐Qwestcontract,p.122‐123;alsosee2017NBAcontract,p.359‐361).

 Restrictionsandconditionsonmonitoringandmonitoringdatause

○ Limitsonmonitoringandemployeerighttoprivacy:Anothertypeofprovisionfocuses

ontheparametersforwhenanemployermaymonitoremployees.Forexample,one

MassachusettsOrganizationofStateEngineersandScientistscontractincludesa

provisionstipulatingthatemployeesmayturnoffGPStechnologyduringlunchand

breaktime,

andothernon‐workinghoursamongotherprovisionsdesignedtorestrict

employeruseofmonitoringtechnologies(SeeLavitt(2011),p.13‐15).Inanother

example,theMLBcontractstatesthattheuseofmonitoringtechnologyis“wholly

voluntary”andstipulatesthattherewillbenoconsequencesforworkersthatrefuseto

participate(See2017MLBcontract,p.334).Furthermore,IAMhasproposedsample

contractlanguageaimedtolimitelectronicmonitoringtosafetyandsecurityreasons

onlyortoprohibitelectronicmonitoringaltogether(SeeIAMProtectingWorkerPrivacy

memo).

○ Requiringtrainingandconsistency:Someunionshavenegotiatedfromtheoutsetthat

employees,andmanagersinparticular,receiveappropriatetraininganddeploythe

monitoringtechnologieswithalevelofconsistency.Forexample,the2012CWA

contractrequirestrainingforthemanagersonthenewmonitoringtechnology,butalso

insistson

“uniformguidelines”intherollout(See2012CWA‐Qwestcontract,p.122‐

123).

○ Limitationsonmonitoringtechnologiesforuseinemployeeevaluation:Afew

contractslimittheuseofmonitoringdataasameansofevaluatingemployee

performance.Forexample,theNBAlimitstheuseofdataforplayers’contract

negotiations(2017NBAcontract,p.361).AnotherrecentexamplefromtheMLB



prohibitsdatagatheredfromperformancetechnologyanddevicesfrombeingusedto

setplayersalaries(2017MLBcontract,p.22).Similarly,theNFLagreementprohibits

datacollectedfromsensorsfrombeingusedorreferencedduringaplayer’scontract

negotiations(SeeNFL‐NFLPACBA2020,pg.291‐295).Othercontractssetparameters

forelectronicdatagatheringandspecifyuseofdataforevaluationandemployee

development(See2012CWA‐Qwestcontract,p.122‐127;2012CWA‐ATTcontract,

p.215‐221).

○ Limitationsonmonitoringtechnologiesfordisciplinarypurposes:Somecontracts

includeprovisionsfocusedontheuseofmonitoringtechnologyfordisciplinary

purposes.Theseprovisionsmaystatethatmonitoringtechnologymaynotbethesole

datausedfordisciplinaryproceedings(i.e.crime,theft)orthatmanagementcanonly

usemonitoring

datawhenanemployeehascommittedacrimeinviolationoffederally

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 18

mandatedregulationsorincasesofimminentdanger/accident.Somecontractsrequire

thattheunionmusthaveaccesstorecordingspriortodisciplinaryprocedures.Other

contractsstatethatthecompanymayusemonitoringtechnologydataforlawful

purposesonlysuchasfortraining,coachingemployees(See2015CWA‐IBTAirline

PassengerServiceAssociationtentativeagreementp.58;2012CWA‐ATTcontract,

p.215‐221;2006IBTairlinepilotscontract,p.143;2019ATUcontract,p.29;Lavitt(2011),

p.13‐15).

 Grievancerightsclauses:Grievancerightsovertheuseofmonitoringdataisanothertypeof

clauseincludedinCBAs.Forexample,the2020NFLcontractincludesprovisionsthatdetail

theproceduresforsubmittingacomplaint,consequencesforviolationsofthesensorpolicy,

andseveraltermsregardingthedatacollectedfromsensors(SeeNFL‐NFLPACBA2020,pg.

291‐295).

3.b. Internet,socialmedia,andemail

Contractprovisionsaddressingsocialmedia,internet,andemailactivitiesareanotherapproachto

protectingworkerprivacy.Theseprovisionsrelatedtointernetuseandsocialmediaareoften

includedinlettersofunderstandingorsidelettersinCBAs.Althoughemployeeorientedsocial

mediaandinternetprovisionsaresomewhatuncommoninCBAs,some

unionshavebeguntoissue

guidelinestomemberstohelpprotectthemfromadverseactionsbymanagement.Tohelpprotect

workers,someunionshavetakenaproactivemember‐orientedapproachwithregardtosocial

mediaactivities.Oneunionresponsehasbeentoissueguidelinesforunionandmemberuseof

socialmediainordertoavoidnegativeconsequencesforsocialmediaactivities(SeeCWAsocial

mediaguidelinesformembers,IATSEmemoregarding'employee’slegalrightstotalkaboutwork

onsocialmedia,and2015AFA‐CWAsocialmediapolicy).

Someexamplesofcontractprovisionsrelatedtointernetuse,socialmedia,andemail:

 Worker’srights:Somecontractsoutlineworker’srighttousetheemailsystemfor

occasionalpersonalcommunicationsorforcommunicationbetweenbargainingunits

employees.However,somealsodelineateparametersforthecontentofemails.For

example,oneclausespecifiesthattheemails“shallnotcontainscurrilous,libelous,

disparaging,orotherwiseinappropriatematerial”(SeeIAMProtectingWorkerPrivacy

memo;2013AFGEcontract,p.148‐149).Contractlanguagecanalsoprohibitemployersfrom

monitoringemployeesocialmediaaccountsandprotectemployeesfromemployerstrying

toaccesspersonalsocialmediapasswordsandaccounts(SeeIAMProtectingWorker

Privacymemo).

 

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 19

3.c. Scheduling

Unpredictable,unstable,andrigidschedulingpracticesbyemployerscombinedwithalgorithmic

computerschedulingsystemshaveledsomeunionstocreateprovisionsto protectworkersfrom

theseunfairpractices.Whiletheunpredictableschedulingpracticeshavebeeninplaceforalong

time,theuseofalgorithmicschedulingprogramsisrelativelynew.Thus,

manyschedulingclauses

donotdirectlyaddressthecomputersystemsfacilitatingsomeofthepractices.

Someexamplesofcontractprovisionsrelatedtoscheduling:

 Clausesaroundschedulingalgorithmpracticesfocusonlongerguaranteedhours,higherpay

forschedulingflexibility,reportingpayguarantees,increasedemployeecontrolover

scheduledhoursandschedulingchanges,senioritypriorityinscheduling,self‐scheduling

optionstopickuportradeshifts,restrictionsontheuseofonlineschedulingsystemto

reducefull

‐timeemployees,accesstoschedulingsystemdatareports(forbothemployee

andfirmleveldata),andrequiredadvancednotification(SeeBloombergBNA(2014);

NationalWomen’sLawCenter(2015);CLASP,p.6‐10.p.18‐20).

3.d. Telework

AfewunionshavedevelopedCBAprovisionsoutliningparametersfortelecommuting.Although

onlypartiallyrelatedtotechnologicalchangeintheworkplace,telecommutingismadepossiblevia

technologyandeasilycoincideswithemployeemonitoringandsurveillance.

Someexamplesofcontractprovisionsrelatedtotelecommuting:

 Guidelinesforteleworking:Someteleworkingcontractprovisionsincludeparametersfor

teleworkincludingthetypesofarrangements;eligibleworkclassifications;specific

expectations;typesoftechnologicalequipmentnecessaryforeligibility;parametersfora

periodicjointlabormanagementreview,asnecessary;andchecklistsandcontract

templatesforteleworkarrangements(See

2013AFGEcontract,p.36‐49;2013UFCWcontract,

p.14).

 Restrictionsonextendingteleworkintosubcontracting:Onecontractprovisioninparticular

restrictsKaiserPermanentefromsubcontractingworkassociatedwith“VirtualVisits”

enabledbynewtechnologiesthatwouldotherwisebeperformedbyrepresented

employees,includingLicensedVocationalNursesandMedicalAssistants(Kaiser2019

Contract,p.17‐20).

 

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 20

3.e. Occupationalhealthandsafety

Healthandsafetyprovisionscoveravarietyoftopicsrelatedtotechnologyintheworkplace.Someofthe

provisionsfocusonthehealthimpactsrelatedtotheuseofcomputersandothertypesoftechnological

equipmentintheworkplacewhileotherprovisionsfocusonexposuretodifferentsafetyhazardsassociated

with

machineryandworkplacetechnologies.Computerworkplaceergonomics,videodisplayterminals

(VDT),microwaveandradiofrequencies,lasers,hightechtoxics,andbiologicalandchemical

technologiesareamongthehealthandsafetyissuesrelatedtotechnology(SeeCWAHealthand

SafetyIssueFactSheets).Technology‐relatedhealthandsafetyclausestendtofocusonfourareas:

employerresponsibilities,oversightandreviewofhealthandsafetyissuesrelatedtotechnology,

workerprotection,andadoptingnewtechnologyforsafetypurposes.

Fourtypesof

healthandsafetyprovisionsrelatedtotechnology:

 Employerresponsibilitiesformaintainingasafetechnologically‐enhancedworkplace:

Clausesthatoutlinetheemployers’responsibilitytoprotectworkersandensureasafe

workplaceoftenstipulaterequirementsfor:regulatorycompliance,propermaintenanceof

equipmentandtechnologiestoensuresafety,employeenotificationofhealthconcerns

associatedwithtechnology,andemployeetrainingonnewtechnologytoensuresafetyfor

employees.Inadditionto

specifyingthatthecompanymustcomplywithOSHAregulations

andothernationalstandards,somecontractsalsorequirethatcontractorsand

subcontractorscomplywithhealthandsafetyprocedurestoensuresafeworkplace(See

2016CWA‐Vassarcontract,p.62‐63;

Platner,Duke,Zucker(1991),(p.10‐14)regarding

NewspaperGuildandIBTmaintenanceandtrainingclauses;2017UFCW‐MCGEOcontract,

p.58regardingtrainingrequirementsfornewtechnology;andNEAReport(1999b),p.131;and

CWA(2017)regardingrecommendationsforcollectivebargainingaround healthandsafety).

 Workplacehealthandsafetycommitteesandtechnologysafetyreview:Somecontracts

requiretheemployertostudytheimpactofnewtechnologiesonemployeehealthand

safety.Othersdesignateajointlabor‐managementsafetycommitteetoreviewtechnologies

andtheirimpactonergonomicsandotherhealthandsafetyissues(SeePlatner,Duke,

Zucke;2015UAW‐Fordagreement,p.189‐190inpdf(172A‐173A).andNEAReport(1999b),

p.131).

 Workerprotectionagainsttechnology‐relatedhazards:Workerprotectionprovisionsoften

detailissuesrelatedtospecifictechnologiesandsetguidelinestoprotectworkersafetyand

health.Forexample,manyprovisionsoutlineergonomicsconsiderationsinworkplace

designaroundnewtechnologies(e.g.computerstations)(SeeCWAOccupationalSafetyand

HealthManual,p.147‐153).Somecontractsrequireequipmentstoppagesduetohazardous

conditions;thesearesometimescalled‘lockout’or‘tag‐out’provisions.Otherspecify

provisionsrelatedtointeractionwithspecifictechnologies,suchasvideodisplayterminals

(VDT)(Forsampleprovisionsonawidevarietyofsafetyconcernsthatcouldapplyto

UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER WORKING PAPER | 21

technology,suchastoworkloadandstressorpersonalriskfromworkingalone,seePlatner,

Duke,Zucker(1991),p.10‐37).

 Adoptingtechnologytoenhanceworkplacesafety:Insomecases,unionshavenegotiated

theuseofnewtechnologyforthesolepurposeofprotectingthehealthandsafetyof

workersonthejob(See“safetybuttons”mentionedhere:KTVUonUNITEHERELocal2

(2018);alsoseeKudialis(2018)).Thoughsparseinbargainingagreements,thetopichas

becomeofparticularinterestforunionsandemployerslookingtotechnologyforsolutions

inprotecting“essentialworkers”duringthepandemic.







Acknowledgments

TheauthorwouldliketothankReemSuleimanforwritingandeditingassistanceonthispaperas

wellasJessieHammerling,AnnetteBernhardt,andKenJacobsforcommentsandsuggestions.

ThisresearchwassupportedbyagrantfromtheFordFoundation.



Suggestedcitation

Kresge,Lisa.“UnionCollectiveBargainingAgreementStrategiesinResponsetoTechnology.”

WorkingPaper,TechnologyandWorkProgram.CenterforLaborResearchandEducation,

UniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley,November2020.