Source: OnLabor

OnLabor discusses a proposed piece of legislation that would fundamentally alter labor relations in the public sector regarding technology adoption. The bill requires public employers to engage in mandatory collective bargaining with unions before adopting or significantly modifying the use of artificial intelligence technologies that impact working conditions. This targets the growing use of algorithmic management tools , surveillance systems, and automated hiring or firing processes in government jobs.

Legally, this categorizes the implementation of AI as a "mandatory subject of bargaining," similar to wages and hours, rather than a managerial prerogative. The rationale is to prevent the erosion of worker rights through "management by algorithm" and to ensure transparency in how decisions affecting employees are made. If passed, this would empower unions to demand audits of AI tools for bias and negotiate protections against job displacement, setting a strong precedent for potential private sector labor law reforms in the future.