Workers Strategize for a Long Battle Against Tech/ AI
The growing enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI) has swept through society like a tidal wave. It began with engineers inspired by a groundbreaking 2017 research paper. Venture capitalists were next, eager to ride the boom, followed by government officials scrambling to impose regulations. Now, it’s labor’s turn to grapple with this transformative technology.
This week, over 200 trade union members and technologists convened in Sacramento for the inaugural Making Tech Work for Workers conference. Organized by University of California labor centers, unions, and worker advocates, the event brought together representatives from diverse industries: dock workers, home care aides, teachers, nurses, actors, state employees, and more. The mission was clear—understand how AI and other technologies threaten jobs and strategize for action, including strikes if necessary.
READ MORE; Africa Must Stop Outsourcing Its Ambitions – W. Gyude Moore
The Fight for Control Over AI
A key message emerged from the conference: workers are determined to assert their right to negotiate how AI is implemented in their workplaces. Union leaders highlighted various ways AI jeopardizes jobs—from automating tasks like screenwriting and cashiering to monitoring workers’ every move.
POLITICAL READ; Ghana’s International Reserves: A Historical Perspective Under President Akufo-Addo
Luis, an Amazon warehouse worker from California’s Inland Empire, shared his experience. The relentless tracking of his movements left him feeling like a robot, contributing to physical injuries and emotional distress. Though he left the job, he returned due to limited opportunities. “I just couldn’t deal with being a robot,” he said.
Amazon spokesperson Steve Kelly defended the company’s practices, emphasizing policies encouraging intentional work, rest breaks, and employee feedback. However, such assurances did little to quell concerns among workers and advocates at the conference.
A Broader Context
The conference coincided with significant political and legislative developments. As President-elect Donald Trump prepared to assume office, his position on technology and labor remained unclear. While he promised to cut regulations stifling innovation, he also criticized automation for harming workers.
MUST READ; Ghana is Emerging as the Hub of Artificial Intelligence in Africa
Unions, however, did not dwell on Trump’s policies. Instead, they focused on empowering workers to challenge exploitative tech practices. This includes negotiating AI-related terms during collective bargaining and creating committees to review tech deployment before implementation.
MUST READ; 77% Of Employees Report AI Has Increased Workloads And Hampered Productivity
Key Battlegrounds
Several unions face imminent AI-related challenges. Grocery workers, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers union, will negotiate over the proliferation of self-checkout systems. Similarly, nurses in the National Nurses Union will push back against AI tools that prioritize cost-cutting over patient care.
Amanda Ballantyne, executive director of the AFL-CIO Tech Institute, emphasized the importance of including AI in labor negotiations. Workers, she argued, are often the best judges of how new technologies impact safety and efficiency.
The Human Cost of AI
The research underscores the risks AI poses to workers. A UCLA report revealed that 4.5 million Californians work in industries highly vulnerable to automation, with over half of these workers being Latino. Beyond job loss, AI systems used to monitor or manage employees can erode dignity and exacerbate physical and mental health issues.
Profile of the Month: Janat Issifu – A Beacon of Empowerment For Women Entrepreneurs
Annette Bernhardt, director of the UC Berkeley Labor Center, noted that while AI has the potential to enhance safety and reduce bias, it also enables practices that treat workers like machines. Injury rates in AI-monitored environments, such as Amazon warehouses, illustrate the risks.
Building Bridges for Change
The path forward requires collaboration across sectors. Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Labor Federation, highlighted efforts to pass laws protecting workers’ privacy and preventing exploitative AI practices. The California Privacy Protection Agency and Civil Rights Department are drafting regulations to ensure transparency in AI use and safeguard against algorithmic discrimination.
EXPLORE; 94% of Employers Want to See These 11 Soft Skills on Your Resume
Amba Kak, executive director of the AI Now Institute, called for strategic alliances between labor and other advocacy groups. For example, the environmental impact of data centers could unite climate activists, labor advocates, and local communities.
READ; 6 Ways Gen Z’s Can Shape Their Future
A Call to Action
The Sacramento conference demonstrated that unions are rallying to confront AI’s challenges. From pushing for regulatory reforms to strengthening collective bargaining, the labor movement is positioning itself as a vital force in shaping the ethical use of AI in workplaces.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s executive director, summed it up: “We’re up against the biggest corporate and political interests. Our strength lies in unity.”
As the AI revolution unfolds, the question remains: how can society ensure technology serves workers rather than exploiting them? Unions, with their history of championing worker rights, may hold the key to a more equitable future.
