ARTICLE 24
NEW TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT

Whenever new equipment or technological changes will significantly affect operations, the Employer shall provide notice to the Union at least 60 days in advance. This time limit does not apply to the introduction of equipment or technological changes on an experimental basis. When the Employer introduces such equipment or technological changes on an experimental basis the Employer will notify the Union upon introduction as where the experiment is being conducted and its nature and intended duration and will provide 60 days notice if the experiment is to be instituted permanently.

The Employer shall provide any reasonable training for affected employees to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for new equipment or procedures. The training shall be held during working hours, when reasonably available. The Employer shall bear the expense of the training.

If training is required by the Agency for employment and the training is held outside the employee’s normal tour of duty, the employee shall receive compensatory time.