Composite L (Covering Motions 72, 73 & 75 and Amended Motion 74)
Technology and AI in the Workplace
‘‘That this Congress recognises Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing the labour market, the workplace and the social domain and that the impacts of technological change on work and employment are multifaceted.
‘‘Congress notes AI may replace some tasks, including repetitive, heavy, labour-intensive or dangerous ones, it could also help to improve skills, raise the quality of work and create new, higher value-added employment.
‘‘AI is currently already substituting or complementing humans in some tasks and that it is already having detectable impact on jobs at this early stage. However, the full potential of AI affecting the UK and Scotland’s labour market is unknown at this stage but the potential for an increase in income inequality if AI increases high-skill occupations and replaces low-skill occupations is a real possibility.
‘‘Any resulting economic and social implications need to be mitigated by appropriate measures, research and foresight and prepared for by investing in reskilling and upskilling of the workforce with a focus on underrepresented groups such as women and minorities, who are likely to be most affected by this transition.
“Surveillance technologies and artificial intelligence are being expanded throughout various sectors. AI based monitoring tools and surveillance software often provide data on the workforce with punitive outcomes, leaving trade unions, and their members on the back foot with limited protection and much needed regulation.
“Workplace inequalities are being exacerbated, placing additional pressure on staff, and in some cases may create an unsafe work environment.
“Congress believes that if these technologies continue to be introduced in our workplaces without consultation and agreement, they will result in a degradation of pay, terms and conditions and infringe on our basic human rights.
“Further, Congress notes that the finance sector is a key part of the Scottish economy. It provides nearly 150,000 workers with relatively good quality jobs. However, the introduction of AI threatens many of the traditional roles in this sector. The majority of workers in jobs at the highest risk of automation are also the lowest paid. The predictions of job displacement are frightening, with call centre and customer service roles estimated to drop by 75% as a result of AI.
“Congress congratulates the Writers’ Guild of America (WGA) on its successful industrial action in 2023, which led to the negotiation of a landmark deal with screen industry employers designed to protect WGA members from the impact of artificial intelligence in generating text, scripts and images. Congress urges all member unions whose members may be affected by emerging AI technologies to take note of this agreement;
‘‘Congress calls on the General Council:
- to work with the TUC, Scottish Government and all affiliates to establish an AI Just Transition Partnership. An AI Just Transition Partnership would aim to establish what measures, research and investment will be required to advance Scotland’s economy and workforce for the undoubted industrial change in future years. Crucially as well as what advantages automation would deliver for economic growth the partnership should deliver a plan of what AI could provide in terms of a reduction of working time, thus improving workers’ living conditions and health.
- to work with affiliates highlighting the importance of the legal right to consult trade unions on the introduction of new technologies be enshrined in UK law, while working with the Scottish Government to ensure these principles are enshrined in the Fair Work Framework enabling an effective voice to influence, while protecting workers and demanding accountability, and working closely with the TUC on their existing AI manifesto and campaign
- to put pressure on employers, the Scottish Government and the UK Government to ensure workers are not left behind by:
- strengthening legislation and regulation in this area, including by adopting the TUC’s AI and Employment Bill;
- ensuring any proposals to introduce AI into workplaces are negotiated and agreed with workforce unions;
- providing funding and infrastructure to support the reskilling and retraining of workers impacted by AI;
- establishing policies that safeguard workers’ rights in the new AI driven workplace; and
- to organise a round table event or seminar, as soon as possible, to enable members in various industries to further discuss the WGA’s ground-breaking agreement, and other strategies for protecting their members from seeing their work plagiarised and replaced by artificial intelligence, without compensation or recognition.”
Mover: Communication Workers’ Union
Seconder: Aegis the Union
Supporters:
National Union of Journalists
NASUWT
RSS