PUBLIC-EMPLOYEE PERCEPTIONS OF UNIONS AS INTERCESSORS FOR TECHNOLOGICAL-CHANGE

New technologies, especially computers, can affect public employees in numerous ways. The history of labor relations, especially in industrial settings, shows that unions can intercede to affect the application of new technology. A survey of state workers in information-oriented agencies, however, shows that most have not formed opinions regarding unions as potential intercessors. Respondents do not feel threatened by the technology but they strongly believe they should be given early prior notice and involvement in decisions about technology. Under such circumstances, the potential of unions to become intercessors in decisions about the application of computer technology is uncertain.