Article 43 - Technological change

43.01

Technological change is the introduction or addition of machinery, equipment or devices, or modifications to them, that has the effect of abolishing one or more positions or significantly modifying an employee’s duties or the knowledge required to ordinarily perform the job.

43.02

The Employer notifies the Union and the employee at least thirty (30) days in advance of any changes requiring updating for the employee. If a technological change is implemented that has the effect of abolishing one or more positions, the Employer gives the Union and the employee at least four (4) months’ written notice.

Once the Union has received the notice stipulated in this clause, it can make any representations it deems useful to the Employer.

43.03

The notice to the Union includes the following information:

a) the nature of the technological change;

b) the schedule of implementation;

c) identification of the positions or job titles to be affected by the change, and the foreseeable effects on the organization of work;

d) the main technical features of the new machinery, equipment or devices, or the planned modifications, when available;

e) all other pertinent information relating to this change.

43.04

In the case of technological changes that have the effect of abolishing one or more positions, the parties meet no later than thirty (30) days after the Union receives the notice and subsequently at any other time they agree upon mutually to discuss plans for implementing the change, the foreseeable effects on the organization of work, and alternatives likely to reduce the impact on employees.

In the case of technological changes necessitating employee training, the Employer meets with the Union, at the Union's request, to inform the latter of the conditions of this training.

43.05

An employee covered by clause 15.03 who is in fact laid off following the implementation of a technological change is eligible for retraining in accordance with the provisions of Article 15.