OLYMPIA—A bill strengthening workers voice and bargaining rights passed through the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee today. Sponsored by Rep. Lisa Parshley (D-Olympia), House Bill 1622 allows public sector unions representing state employees to bargain over the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their workplaces.
“There are no current statewide, consistent regulations on how AI is introduced or used in the workplace,” said Parshley. “Use of this technology is rapidly growing, and we still don’t know what the implications are going to be in workplaces. We need to ensure that workers have a say now.”
Currently, unions are not able to bargain for or against decisions made by management. They can only bargain regarding the impacts these decisions have on wages, scheduling, and working conditions. HB 1622 amends current management rights to exempt AI and allow for workers to bargain over how it will fit into their workplace. It does not change the original intent of the technology statute and allow for bargaining over smaller technological decisions like what type of computer or cell phone is issued to employees.
“We need to give workers the power to have a say in these decisions before its too late,” said Parshley. “This isn’t about stopping AI from ever being used in government work, it’s about listening to the people who make things happen.”
The bill will move to the Rules Committee before being heard on the House floor.