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Union urges 1:3 staffing ratio for self-checkout kiosks; sponsor takes bill off notice
Summary
Haley Nicholson (UFCW) told the committee HB 2051 would set a 1:3 worker-to-kiosk ratio and require alcohol/tobacco sales to be processed by staffed lanes to reduce theft and protect workers; members debated whether staffing levels are a managerial or regulatory matter and the bill was taken off notice for more stakeholder work.
Haley Nicholson testified that the Tennessee Safe Stores proposal would require a ratio of one worker for every three self-checkout kiosks and ensure alcohol and tobacco sales are handled at staffed checkout lanes.
"People that do those tags, changing them in and out, that can be potentially hours lost for them," Nicholson said, addressing potential worker impacts from ESLs and automated systems. She added that undercurrent theft and low staff ratios make monitoring self-checkout kiosks difficult and occasionally put workers in confrontational situations. Lawmakers debated whether minimum staffing levels should be set by statute or left to market and management decisions; several members said they preferred further stakeholder conversations. The sponsor agreed to take HB 2051 off notice and continue working with businesses and labor representatives.
