Automation: How & Where It's Happening

Panelists:
Carole Swan and Carol
Collier, Ottawa

The first speaker, Carole Swan, focused on four points in her discussion of the development and introduction of microelectronic technology:

• The competitive imperative: We cannot afford to ignore or stop the development and application of micro-electronic technology. Following this course would provide, at best, temporary protection against job loss, but at the expense of the continuing economic viability of our country.

• The technology will affect different sectors differently. The service sector, the source of a large part of our recent employment growth (particularly for women), is a prime focus of the new technology.

• How the technology is implemented is very important. Microprocessor technology is being applied in a context of women's economic, social and political inferiority. Whether the technology will reinforce the present division of power and authority, or will be a tool to challenge it, remains to be seen.

• The possibility of fundamental change in some of our basic institutions and relationships is real. If micro-electronic technology succeeds in dramatically reducing the need for human labour, how will we cope, given a society that defines and rewards people largely by what they do in the paid labour force?

The second speaker, Carol Collier, discussed values and choices in implementing new technologies. Decisions are being made in the workplace by individuals who exercise choices based on a particular set of values. Unless the values inherent in our hierarchical, male-dominated workplace are changed, the current unequal position of women in the workforce will be reinforced and exacerbated by the advent of micro-electronic technology.

Both speakers emphasized the need for women to be involved in the decision-making processes of automation. Efforts to change discriminatory institutions and systems must continue.

Case Studies - Word Processing in the Office

Moderator:
Lil McIlwain, Senior Counsellor,
Women's Bureau, Manitoba

Panelists:
Karn Sandy, Manager, Word Processing
Consulting Services
Branch, Department /Government
Services, Manitoba

Janice Manchee, Researcher
and Author

Karn Sandy related how the Manitoba government proceeded to set up its Word Processing Consulting Services Branch, of which she is the director. The functions of the program are:

• To supply government programs on the use of word processing technology.

• To supply government programs with the tools required to comply with government policy, and for adequate planning, implementation and management of office systems that use automated word processing equipment.

• To coach and support programs in all aspects of their word processing activities.

• To help programs resolve problems that may arise from the introduction of technology.

• To continue research on word processing issues, and to recommend changes in policy or procedures, as appropriate.

The presentation outlined the urgent need for a global approach to the introduction of micro technology in the office.