TUC Assistant General Secretary, Kate Bell, says: “AI is already making life-changing decisions about the way millions work – including how people are hired, performance-managed and fired. But UK employment law is way behind the curve, leaving many workers vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination. We urgently need new employment legislation, so workers and employers know where they stand. Without proper regulation of AI, our labour market risks turning into a wild west. We all have a shared interest in getting this right.”
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “We welcome this new TUC taskforce, aimed at tackling the growing issue of AI in our workplaces, and we’re pleased that Usdaw’s Chris Morris will be serving on it. Chris has been at the forefront of developing Usdaw’s manifesto for dealing with AI and he has a wealth of knowledge and experience to offer.
“We are deeply concerned by the growing challenges facing working people. A critical challenge in the workplace is the development and introduction of new technology and automation, after the pandemic accelerated the introduction of technology across many of the key industries. The resultant job insecurity and retraining need is massive. An estimated nine in ten employees in the UK will need to retrain by 2030.
“We are clear that we need a new deal for workers based on comprehensive skills training, strengthening trade union rights and high quality, secure employment. At the moment it is too easy and too cheap for employers to make workers redundant as a result of the introduction of automation systems; this needs to change.”
Usdaw’s manifesto for dealing with AI is calling for:
- Stronger union voice in the workplace to ensure that more employers recognise trade unions and that the views of the workforce are listened to.
- The Government to introduce safeguards against discrimination when workplace technology is introduced.
- A legal right to disconnect from work.
- Access to retraining and reskilling as technology is introduced, with the Government and employers ensuring that workers are able to adapt.
- The right to decent and secure jobs by delivering a new deal for workers.
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 350,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades
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