The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is advocating for legislation that would restrict the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by employers unless job security agreements are in place. This initiative aims to protect workers as discussions surrounding productivity reform intensify in anticipation of the Albanese government’s productivity roundtable scheduled for August 19-21, 2023.
In a forthcoming speech at the Melbourne University Productivity Flash Forum, ACTU Assistant Secretary Joseph Mitchell is set to emphasize the union’s position on AI implementation. According to draft notes, Mitchell will argue for a comprehensive AI act to prevent employers from utilizing the technology in ways that could jeopardize workers’ jobs. “Workers will be all in if they know doing so will not cost them their jobs,” he plans to state.
Business groups have countered that AI offers a significant opportunity for Australia, projecting that it could generate billions in productivity gains. They argue that the technology allows for the redeployment of workers into higher-skilled roles and urge caution against implementing safeguards that could hinder technological adoption.
Mitchell contends that meaningful productivity improvements stem from businesses that integrate AI in consultation with their employees, respecting their skills and contributions. He insists that employers should negotiate AI-implementation agreements with their workforce before deploying new technologies. These agreements should address job security, privacy concerns, and retraining initiatives.
In a recent interview, Mitchell refrained from detailing the extent of job security guarantees or the consequences for employers who fail to reach agreements. He reiterated that the union does not support the use of AI for mass redundancies, urging employers to develop transparent plans that prioritize employee welfare alongside business growth.
The federal government announced plans last year to legislate on AI usage in high-risk environments but has yet to present these laws to parliament. The ACTU’s push for stronger protections comes on the heels of the Commonwealth Bank’s recent announcement of 90 job cuts attributed to AI systems and offshoring. The Finance Sector Union reported that 45 of these positions were eliminated due to the introduction of a chatbot for customer inquiries.
“Rather than invest in its people, the Commonwealth Bank is discarding Australians through ongoing redundancies and offshoring,” said Julia Angrisano, national secretary of the Finance Sector Union. She expressed concerns regarding the bank’s commitment to productivity under CEO Matt Comyn.
In response, a spokesperson for the Commonwealth Bank stated that while 45 roles would be replaced by AI, new opportunities would arise. “By automating simple queries, our teams can focus on more complex customer inquiries that require empathy and experience,” the spokesperson noted. They emphasized the bank’s commitment to supporting affected employees with resources for career transitions and well-being.
Experts also caution against the premature adoption of AI. Alysia Blackham, an employment law expert from the University of Melbourne, remarked that early AI integration could lead to discriminatory outcomes. “Employers are not able to replace their workers with these tools in any realistic sense, but bringing employees along on this technology journey is going to be really critical in building trust in these tools,” she stated.
As the productivity roundtable approaches, the dialogue surrounding AI and job security is poised to intensify, highlighting the ongoing tension between technological advancement and worker protection in Australia.
