Workers demand job security in the future of autonomous and electrified transport.
Workers demand job security in the future of autonomous and electrified transport.
Embracing the Future: Navigating the Intersection of Technology and Transportation Jobs
The 21st century is witnessing a monumental shift in the transportation industry. The rise of electric motors and automation is reshaping how we move people and goods, promising easier and greener methods of transportation. However, not everyone is thrilled about these changes. Transportation workers, who find themselves at the forefront of these transformations, are grappling with the potential threat to their jobs and livelihoods. As electric vehicles and autonomous technology gain traction, labor unions and workers are voicing their concerns and demanding better pay and job security.
In Sacramento, a caravan of big rig trucks recently rumbled into town as the Teamsters union rallied support for a bill that would ban driverless trucks in California. In the industrial heartland of the US, autoworkers picketed outside major car manufacturers like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, demanding improved wages and job stability as the industry transitions to electric vehicles. Meanwhile, fleets of robotaxis began operating in San Francisco, despite objections from city leaders and unions worried about their potential impact on emergency vehicles and public transit.
The transportation sector finds itself at the crossroads of two profound and accelerating shifts. The Biden administration has allocated hundreds of billions of dollars to accelerate the adoption of electric cars, trucks, buses, and rail lines, heralding a greener future. However, many of the “green jobs” being created pay significantly less and offer worse conditions than the fossil fuel-dependent jobs they are replacing. Simultaneously, driverless vehicles are gradually taking over jobs previously performed by humans. Labor leaders warn that without proactive measures, widespread job loss or degradation is a real possibility, with human workers becoming poorly paid robot minions.
Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, the largest labor federation in the US, highlights the potential for new technology to undermine strong collective bargaining contracts. He emphasizes the need for policies that ensure workers remain an integral part of the future. The United Auto Workers union echoes these concerns, as car manufacturers leverage the transition to electric vehicles to undercut workers. Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis have entered into partnerships with South Korean electronics companies to produce battery components for EVs. These plants operate outside the jurisdiction of existing union contracts, leaving workers vulnerable to low pay and dangerous working conditions.
The fear of job losses has been further exacerbated by Ford’s CEO’s prediction that EVs would require 40 percent less human labor. While the accuracy of this figure is debated, the United Auto Workers union seeks job security provisions to safeguard members during this period of transition. These protections include the right to strike over plant closures and compensation if a factory shuts down.
The Teamsters union shares similar concerns regarding job loss due to autonomous trucks. Truck driving is the most common job in 29 states, making it a critical source of employment in many communities. The introduction of self-driving technology poses potential disastrous consequences for jobs and the economy, warns Peter Finn, Vice President for the union’s western region. Trucking and delivery driving jobs exist in various forms, with long-distance highway driving being the most susceptible to automation. Economic sociologist Steve Viscelli estimates that nearly 300,000 jobs could soon be displaced, including 83,000 well-paying union positions.
Viscelli sheds light on the deteriorating working conditions faced by truckers, compounded by technologies such as driver-monitoring and communication systems. These conditions, already undermined by deregulation in the 1980s, could worsen without new regulations in place. Truckers frequently engage in unpaid labor, waiting for pick-ups and drop-offs, as they are exempt from overtime laws and paid per mile. Many are misclassified as independent contractors, barring them from benefits and union representation. Viscelli envisions a worst-case scenario where autonomous trucks navigate highways while truckers ride along unpaid, intervening only for complex city navigation.
Union leaders stress that they are not opposed to innovation but seek technology that supports workers rather than replaces them. They advocate for a proactive approach that considers workers’ well-being and safeguards their livelihoods. Regan points to the Biden administration’s Low- or No-Emissions grants, which allocate 5 percent of funding to workforce development and training. This initiative ensures that drivers and bus mechanics can evolve alongside the technology, without having to worry about losing benefits or facing significant pay cuts. It’s a win-win situation for workers and the communities relying on clean and reliable public transit.
Regan believes the current moment offers an opportunity to learn from past mistakes, such as those made during the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994. The absence of worker protections resulted in the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs, leading to devastated industrial areas known as the “Rust Belt.” However, in heavily unionized industries, workers have managed to fend off some automation-related job losses. Railroad and pilot unions have successfully resisted efforts to reduce crew sizes. Dockworkers have fought against the automation of ports, and transit workers’ unions have lobbied against the implementation of automated buses.
To secure a foothold in the rapidly evolving landscape, unions are taking decisive actions. The United Auto Workers union’s ongoing strike against major automakers aims to secure strong contracts that protect workers. An Ohio-based plant owned by General Motors and electronics manufacturer LG has joined the UAW, becoming the first unionized EV battery cell facility in the country. A successful outcome could influence other battery plants and non-union electric vehicle makers like Tesla and Rivian.
The Teamsters union recently released an autonomous vehicle framework, calling on federal policymakers to mandate the presence of licensed human drivers, establish a wage replacement system for displaced drivers, and require comprehensive safety data reporting to the government. These steps demonstrate the union’s commitment to ensuring worker well-being and keeping the motoring public safe.
While some may view the disputes surrounding technology and transportation jobs as irrelevant, unions argue that these issues have far-reaching implications for workers and the general public. Technology is transforming our public roads, and concerns about the impact of automation go beyond the labor unions themselves. We all have a stake in shaping this automation-driven future, ensuring that it benefits workers, communities, and society at large.
