Defense diversification. Alternative use committees

(a) As used in this section, “defense contract” includes any contract for the production or manufacture of weapons or other defense equipment to be used by the military or naval forces of this state or the United States, “defense contractor” means any contractor, subcontractor, manufacturer or service company which is a party to a defense contract and has agreed to produce or manufacture weapons or defense equipment under such contract and “value” means gross value. (b) Each defense contractor which (1) performs one or more defense contracts in this state, the combined value of which exceeds one million dollars in any one year, and (2) after October 1, 1994, is the recipient of state assistance or other funds from the Department of Economic and Community Development shall establish an alternative use committee. The committee shall consist of representatives of employees and employers. The employees of such contractor who are represented by a collective bargaining organization shall be represented on such committee by a representative of such organization. The employees of such contractor who are not represented by a collective bargaining organization shall designate a person to serve as their representative. The committee may invite representatives of the community to participate in committee meetings. The committee shall prepare a plan to reduce or eliminate the dependence of the contractor on defense contracts. The plan shall include: (A) Alternative products that are feasible to produce and marketable; and (B) retraining resources needed to produce such products in order to avoid dislocation of the current workforce.