NCJ Number
96045
Journal
Labor Law Journal Volume: 34 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1983) Pages: 697-703
Date Published
1983
Length
7 pages
Annotation
If the use of robots becomes significant in American companies, issues will emerge in labor law and collective bargaining, particularly in the areas of equal employment opportunity, union-management relations, health and safety, and compensation.
Abstract
Robots are different from automatic machines because they have a reasonably high level of intelligence, the ability to make elementary decisions, and the dexterity and flexibility to perform an intricate sequence of different motions without human intervention. Although they offer many advantages to industry, they also pose a threat -either real or imagined -- to the status quo. Employees and union representatives are concerned about the effects of robotics on employment security. Personnel managers must evaluate the impact of robotics on recruitment, selection, training, and compensation programs. Robotics could have dramatic effects on collective bargaining and labor law. A central dilemma for policymakers will be how and to what extent to change existing labor laws to reflect some of the issues raised by robotics. Careful planning and preparation are required in order to use robotics to balance the impact on management and labor while avoiding unnecessary legal problems. A total of 18 footnotes are supplied.