Section 1.
The Library and the Association recognize that technology has become integral to the work performed by CRS for the Congress. The parties are aware of the impact of technology on the work of CRS staff. Management and the Association are committed to adopting technology into the workplace in a way that is responsive both to the needs of the Congress and to the needs of the staff members who use the technology in order to carry out their responsibilities.
Section 2.
The Library and the Association agree that while the purpose of technology is to better serve the informational and analytical needs of the Congress, such change should occur with full consideration of its impact on the working conditions of employees. With this in mind, the parties agree to the following:
- That management recognizes the value of seeking the views of employees with respect to the introduction, allocation and use of technology and consequently will discuss with the staff on a quarterly basis the current state and future direction of the use of technology in CRS, including significant changes in or upgrades to hardware, software, and communications devices as well as significant issues relevant primarily to specific divisions and/or offices. As appropriate, management will discuss with the staff of particular divisions/offices changes in technology that primarily affect those divisions/offices.
- That management decisions regarding allocation of computer hardware and software, whether at the Service or the division/office level, should be based on technological needs related to service to Congress.
- That staff members who are assigned to use technology will be provided with appropriate information or training on official time related to hardware, software, ergonomics, and health and safety so that they can make effective use of it in performance of their responsibilities to serve the Congress.
- That the Library will use established ergonomic and health practices in the acquisition, use, and maintenance of technology workstations based on applicable Federal government standards or guidelines or, in the absence of such standards or guidelines, the best available information.
- That technology introduced into CRS is to be used for official purposes only.
- That use of technology, to the extent that it has a material and substantial impact on the classification of positions occupied by employees, will be considered as appropriate in modifying and reclassifying such positions, and that management will make a responsible effort to avoid downgradings as the result of technological change.
- That management, consistent with workload demands and its right to assign work, shall provide appropriate periods and types of relief for employees who use video display terminals or computer keyboards for extended periods during the course of a day, so that staff members will not be expected to perform work that requires continuous use of a terminal or keyboard for extended periods without reasonable periods of relief. For example, an employee continuously using a terminal or keyboard for two hours shall be entitled to take a period of relief from use of the terminal or keyboard equipment of ten minutes, during which time he or she may perform work not requiring use of the terminal or keyboard. This period of relief will be in addition to breaks and the lunch period as provided for in this agreement. The ten minute periods of relief may be scheduled in conjunction with these breaks.
- That management, consistent with workload demands and its right to assign work, will make a responsible effort to reassign employees whose work involves extended use of computer keyboards and video display terminals, temporarily or permanently as appropriate, to duties that involve limited use of computer keyboards and video display terminals consistent with acceptable medical documentation provided by the employee.
- That the use of technology will be reflected in the minimum qualifications statements of vacancy announcements for bargaining unit positions, to the extent that it is a prerequisite for consideration for such positions.
- That the Library shall make a responsible effort to provide appropriate training to staff members displaced by technology and to reassign them to other positions; however, if technological change results in a reduction in force, the provisions of the Reduction in Force article of this agreement will be applied.