Sen. Brown Talks Legislation to Increase Employee Training in Mansfield Visit

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) will soon unveil legislation requiring companies to provide employees with advanced notice and more training when adopting new technology, reports the Richland Source . This week Brown discussed the "Workers' Right to Training Act of 2019" with community leaders and worker advocates in Mansfield. "I see in communities like Mansfield . . . too many cases where people lose jobs because of globalization, where companies shut down production here and move it overseas, and other times, they lose their jobs because of technology," he stated. Brown added that President Trump has little commitment to adapting U.S. trade agreements and tax policy to fuel domestic production, "but in terms of technology, companies are going to do that. They should. They want to be more efficient." Brown's legislation is designed to protect workers whose jobs or training are threatened by new technology. The bill would direct employers to provide 180 days advance notice to workers when new technology will change employment positions, and 270 days advance notice if jobs will be eliminated. Another requirement is for companies to pay for and deliver on-the-job training to any workers who will be affected by new technology. Brown asserted that these requirements would have employers consult and remunerate employees whose jobs are changed or lost due to technology, to guarantee technological adoption is done in a "just way for workers."