Section 51 — Canada Labour Code: Definition of technological change

In this section and sections 52 to 55, technological change means the introduction by an employer into their work, undertaking or business of equipment or material of a different nature or kind than that previously utilized by the employer in the operation of the work, undertaking or business; and a change in the manner in which the employer carries on the work, undertaking or business that is directly related to the introduction of that equipment or material. Sections 52, 54 and 55 do not apply, in respect of a technological change, to an employer and a bargaining agent who are bound by a collective agreement where the employer has given to the bargaining agent a notice in writing of the technological change that is substantially in accordance with subsection 52(2), prior to the day on which the employer and the bargaining agent entered into the collective agreement, if the notice requiring the parties to commence collective bargaining for the purpose of entering into that collective agreement was given pursuant to section 48, or not later than the last day on which notice requiring the parties to commence collective bargaining for the purpose of entering into the collective agreement could have been given pursuant to subsection 49(1), if the notice was given under that subsection; the collective agreement contains provisions that specify procedures by which any matters that relate to terms and conditions or security of employment likely to be affected by a technological change may be negotiated and finally settled during the term of the agreement; or the collective agreement contains provisions that are intended to assist employees affected by any technological change to adjust to the effects of the technological change, and specify that sections 52, 54 and 55 do not apply, during the term of the collective agreement, to the employer and the bargaining agent.