OLYMPIA, Wash. – A proposed bill that empowers public sector unions to negotiate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Washington State workplaces took a step forward in Olympia.
In a release by Washington State Democrats, HB 1622 sponsor Rep. Lisa Parshley, said something needs to be done about the lack of consistent regulations on how AI is introduced or used in the workplace.
“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.” Representative Parshley said.
The bill introduces clear definitions for “artificial intelligence” and “machine learning” within labor relations. It mandates that employers negotiate the adoption or modification of AI technologies affecting employees, ensuring these decisions are part of the collective bargaining process.
“I am going to ask that the committee support this bill which very simply allows public employees the right to bargain over AI technologies under their contracts,” State Representative Liz Berry, representing Washington’s 36th Legislative District, testified Tuesday, February 18. “It is my understanding that in the private sector, this is very much happening, but we need to allow that to happen in the public sector.”
Republican Representative Suzane Schmidt with the 4th legislative district thinks it’s a good bill moving forward.
“But we have had some stakeholders reach out and have a few amendments that we’d like to work on. So we’re going to be a mixed vote at this time.” Schmidt testified before the committee approved the measure with a majority vote of 7-2.
The bill will now proceed to the Rules Committee before being presented on the House floor.