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Congress notes there are clear challenges and threats to workers presented by technological change, but that there are also opportunities to create positive change to boost productivity and provide workers with greater flexibility and creativity in their work.
Congress further notes some sectors, such as finance, are impacted by a more advanced wave of technological change. Congress acknowledges the extent to which automation has the potential to change or threaten jobs across the economy.
Congress recognises the vital role of trade unions in responding to and negotiating around workplace changes driven by automation and welcomes the work of unions across the movement in seeking to develop a trade union response to automation.
Congress firmly believes employers and government have a duty to ensure workers are equipped with the skills they need in response to automation and to adapt to technological change and potential changes to jobs or job roles.
Congress calls on the General Council to:
i. bring together unions whose members are most affected by current developments in automation, such as those working in the finance and professional sectors, to discuss collective bargaining responses to the ongoing challenges artificial intelligence and automation will bring and to secure a fair share of productivity gains for workers.
ii. support unions working with employers to provide opportunities for upskilling, retraining and redeployment for workers whose jobs are impacted by technological change iii. explore what government policy change is required to ensure workers can realise the benefits of automation and prosper in a rapidly changing advanced economy.
Community