Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 12
AFSCME Local 1632 Files Grievance Over Goat Brush-Clearing Deal at 1 Columbus Plant
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 12

AFSCME Local 1632 Files Grievance Over Goat Brush-Clearing Deal at 1 Columbus Plant

2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 12

Summary

  • AFSCME Local 1632 this month challenged Columbus Water & Power after the agency hired a goat-grazing company to clear brush at the Southerly Water Reclamation Plant outside Columbus.
  • The union says management failed to notify it before subcontracting the work, a step it argues is required under the collective bargaining agreement.
  • Will Harmon, the local's president, said the dispute is about subcontracting and erosion of bargaining-unit work rather than the goats themselves.
  • Columbus Water & Power said it is reviewing the grievance and declined further comment because the case is headed to arbitration.

Insights

When goats can take union jobs, is any worker truly safe from the coming AI revolution?
A Chinese court blocked an AI-based firing. Will U.S. law protect workers from being replaced by algorithms?
As automation replaces routine tasks, what uniquely human skills will guarantee your value in the future job market?