Washington Task Force Proposes Protecting Public Sector Jobs from AI Disruption

Recommendation would require public employers to bargain with unions over AI adoption that impacts wages or performance evaluations.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:59am

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A highly detailed, 3D illustration of a glowing, luminous AI neural network with pulsing nodes and connections, representing the complex algorithms that can automate decision-making processes. The network is bathed in vibrant neon cyan and magenta lights, creating an ethereal, high-tech atmosphere.Glowing AI infrastructure highlights the growing power and reach of automated decision-making systems in the workplace.Olympia Today

A proposed recommendation by the Washington State Attorney General's Artificial Intelligence Task Force would offer protection to public sector employees from losing wages or employment due to AI adoption. The recommendation would require public employers to bargain with unions over the decision to adopt or modify AI technology if it affects employee wages or performance evaluations.

Why it matters

As AI has advanced, many private sector industries have experienced significant job loss, with half of the 80,000 tech sector jobs lost in the first quarter of 2026 related to AI. This has led to backlash from some white-collar workers against AI adoption. The task force recommendation aims to give public sector workers a voice in how AI is implemented in their workplaces.

The details

The task force recommendation states that 'the legislature should require that public employers covered by PECBA and the PSRA be required to bargain over the decision to adopt, or modify current uses of, artificial intelligence technology if such adoption or modification affects employees' wages or performance evaluations.' Advocating for the recommendation was Cherika Carter with the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, who said 'Today, AI is no longer just a tool. It can directly shape wages, performance evaluations and job security through automated decision making systems.' However, task force member Amy Harris with the Washington Technology Industry Association argued that 'AI policy should focus on outcomes: transparency, accountability, and responsible use, rather than restricting deployment outright.'

  • The task force will vote to approve final recommendations by July 2026.
  • A similar bill introduced in the 2025 legislative session cleared the House but stalled in the Senate, and was reintroduced this year but failed to get a House floor vote.

The players

Washington State Attorney General's Artificial Intelligence Task Force

A state task force that has proposed a recommendation to protect public sector employees from losing wages or employment due to AI adoption.

Cherika Carter

A member of the Washington State Attorney General's Artificial Intelligence Task Force and representative of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, who advocated for the recommendation.

Amy Harris

A member of the Washington State Attorney General's Artificial Intelligence Task Force and representative of the Washington Technology Industry Association, who argued against overly restrictive AI policies.

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What they’re saying

“Today, AI is no longer just a tool. It can directly shape wages, performance evaluations and job security through automated decision making systems.”

— Cherika Carter, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO

“AI policy should focus on outcomes: transparency, accountability, and responsible use, rather than restricting deployment outright. There is a real risk that overly restrictive or unclear policies could slow adoption, where implementation is already complex.”

— Amy Harris, Washington Technology Industry Association

What’s next

The task force will vote to approve final recommendations by July 2026. A similar bill introduced in the 2025 legislative session failed to pass, and was reintroduced this year but also did not advance.

The takeaway

This proposed recommendation highlights the growing tension between the rapid advancement of AI technology and its potential impact on public sector jobs and worker protections. As AI continues to automate more tasks traditionally done by humans, policymakers will need to balance the benefits of AI adoption with ensuring workers have a voice in how it is implemented in their workplaces.