The AFL-CIO Technology Institute is a non-profit organization founded in 2021 to bring the voices of working people into technology development, research, and innovation policy. The Institute is seeking a Senior Counsel/Advisor to conduct research into collective bargaining on new technology, contribute to its policy work, and help workers navigate an era of rapid technological change across the economy, public services, and the workplace.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Collective Bargaining
- In coordination with other senior staff, direct the Institute’s collective bargaining work related to the introduction of AI and other emerging technologies in the workplace.
- Maintain comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge of the collective bargaining landscape around AI and technology issues across a variety of sectors and industries.
- Develop educational resources and training materials to translate complex technology issues into actionable guidance.
- Build and maintain a resource library of bargaining principles, best practices, and model contract language.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with researchers, academic and policy institutions, AFL-CIO affiliates, state and local labor federations, and external partners.
Policy & Advocacy
- Develop and advance policy positions on specific issues related to artificial intelligence and automation, labor law and policy, and other related topics as assigned.
- Independently produce high-quality analysis, testimony, regulatory comments, legislative documents, reports, memos and policy papers for both internal and external audiences.
- Educate and advise union leaders, advocacy organizations, philanthropic partners, and federal and state policymakers as part of a coordinated team.
Additional duties
- Advise regarding legal issues and assist management as required.
- Serve as TI’s internal management representative in bargaining and contract administration related to technology use in the workplace, assisting management with the resolution of grievances related to technology.
- Participate in developing and formulating contract language with TI’s staff union.
- Prepare reports for appropriate persons and entities as directed by the Executive Director.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Juris Doctorate or equivalent experience in a related field
- Minimum five years of relevant experience in labor law or labor policy.
- Demonstrated experience in or adjacent to the labor movement
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to draft policy documents, testimony, and regulatory comments independently
- Experience managing complex internal and external organizational relationships
- Proven execution of multiple high-priority projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines while producing high-quality deliverables
- Commitment to the principles of the labor movement, social and economic justice, and racial equity
Preferred
- Familiarity with AI, automation, and emerging technology policy
- Experience with collective bargaining or labor contract negotiations strongly preferred
Skills Required
- Juris Doctorate or equivalent experience in a related field
- At least five years of relevant experience in labor law or labor policy
- Demonstrated experience in or adjacent to the labor movement
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including independently drafting policy documents, testimony, and regulatory comments
- Experience managing complex internal and external organizational relationships
- Ability to execute multiple high-priority projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and producing high-quality deliverables
- Commitment to labor movement principles, social and economic justice, and racial equity
- Familiarity with AI, automation, and emerging technology policy
- Experience with collective bargaining or labor contract negotiations
What We Do
The AFL-CIO Tech Institute is the labor movement's think tank on technology and innovation. Established in 2021 by the AFL-CIO, it works at the intersection of technological innovation and the workplace, centering workers' knowledge, expertise, and interests in the innovation economy. Through research, education, policy analysis, and collaboration with unions, universities, funders, and employers, it seeks to ensure technological change — including AI — benefits working people and strengthens collective bargaining.
