Article 35
Technology

Section 1. General

Technology is dramatically impacting work processes throughout business and Government nationwide. While innovations in technology are occurring so rapidly it is impossible to anticipate them, the Department and the Union embrace the opportunities created to improve work processes and employee skills.

To that end, the parties are committed to exploring ways to share information about technology, while respecting each other’s statutory rights. That is, Management maintains the right to determine the technology of the workplace and the Union does not waive its statutory right to bargain in connection with the impact on working conditions of bargaining unit employees resulting from changes in technology. The Union's right to bargain and Management's obligation to bargain are consistent with the Federal Labor-Management Relations Statute.

Section 2. Training on Technology

As the Department introduces technology, appropriate training (e.g., on-line instruction, desk-aids, Help lines, mentors, and/or classroom sessions) will be made available to employees affected by the introduction of new procedures and technology. Additional training will be provided for employees who demonstrate difficulty. If individual employees cannot adjust to the changes caused by the introduction of technology or if the introduction results in the abolishment of some positions and the establishment of others, the Department, consistent with applicable regulations, will make every effort to utilize the skills and abilities of those employees adversely affected by the changes.