Macy's employees have won a battle against the retailer's self-checkout technology as a labor arbitrator has determined workers must be provided commissions for purchases made via the mobile app.

The ruling comes three years after the mobile app launch and puts a spotlight on how technology and digital innovations in retail play into the traditional role of a store associate and commission pay.

The battle was ignited by a union representing workers at six Boston and Rhode Island stores. The workers claimed they were losing pay on commission-based items bought via the app. The arbitrator said Macy's violated its bargaining agreement by not including commissions on the products bought in the self-checkout approach, according to a CNBC report.

Macy's declined to comment to CNBC but stated the decision won't have an immediate impact on customers.

Macy's will give back-pay to employees regarding total sales conducted through the mobile scan and pay app.

"As technology continues to advance in this industry, we were concerned this was just the beginning," Fernando Lemus, who represented the workers in the grievance action, told CNBC.

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