AS artificial intelligence (AI) threatens to disrupt various sectors, American labour unions are striving to protect workers and demand corporate transparency. Aaron Novik from Amazon’s ALU union highlights the existential threat posed by AI, which could eliminate jobs and diminish workers’ bargaining power. The rise of advanced “physical AI” may displace more blue-collar workers than previous automation waves, with the CEO of Anthropic warning that generative AI could eliminate half of lowskilled white-collar jobs.
Unions like the International Brotherhood of Teamsters are pushing for legislation to limit automation but face political challenges, as seen with recent vetoes in California and Colorado. The political landscape shifted under President Biden, who supported worker protections, but these were quickly rescinded by President Trump.
In response to the rapid implementation of AI technologies, unions are proactively negotiating AI provisions in collective bargaining agreements. Some unions have successfully secured protections, such as the International Longshoremen’s Association’s moratorium on full automation at ports and SAG-AFTRA’s guarantees for actors regarding AI likenesses.
AFP
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