US Labor Unions

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👷 Unions split on AI

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Stock: Getty Images

AI is creating jobs for some union workers — while threatening to replace others. That tension is dividing organized labor over how to respond to the technology's rapid expansion, Axios Closer author Nathan Bomey reports. 🛠️ Why it matters: Building trade unions are embracing the data center construction boom. But other labor groups, including the Teamsters, are advocating policies to restrict AI use that could replace workers. The big picture: Labor's competing priorities are complicating its political alliances as both parties court union voters. 🏗️ Building trade unions representing electricians and plumbers have joined forces with OpenAI and real estate and financial firm Blackstone to fight moratoriums on data center construction. The AFL-CIO is pushing for restrictions against workplace surveillance and AI-driven health care decisions made without human oversight. ✊ UAW president Shawn Fain has criticized the "corporate narrative" that technology should be used to eliminate jobs and boost profits, arguing "it doesn't have to be that way." Go deeper.