Going on strike: Why some unions have more leverage than others

02/22/2024 02:58
Going on strike: Why some unions have more leverage than others

2023 was a year filled with strikes, with groups such as the UAW and SAG hitting the picket lines. One of the big concerns for a lot of unions is how artificial intelligence could be used to potentially replace workers. Senior Fellow at the Burnes Center for Social Change and Professor of Practice at Northeastern University, Seth Harris joins Yahoo Finance Live to weigh in on unions and the impact of artificial intelligence. Overall, Harris expects unions to to still go on strike in 2024, though it may not be at the same level the US saw in 2024. Harris lays out how some unions may have more power than others, noting that autoworkers and writers have unique skillsets that make them hard to replace whereas warehouse workers may not have as much leverage. Harris notes that incorporation of AI “is going to be an issue in some industries,” but states it's going to take time for us to see the full impact. Harris expects industries such as coding and journalism to feel the direct impact sooner than others. Harris believes “collective bargaining is well-positioned to help address” job protection in the age of AI, but notes a large amount of US workers are not a part of any union. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live. Editor's note: This article was written by Eyek Ntekim

2023 was a year filled with strikes, with groups such as the UAW and SAG hitting the picket lines. One of the big concerns for a lot of unions is how artificial intelligence could be used to potentially replace workers. Senior Fellow at the Burnes Center for Social Change and Professor of Practice at Northeastern University, Seth Harris joins Yahoo Finance Live to weigh in on unions and the impact of artificial intelligence.

Overall, Harris expects unions to to still go on strike in 2024, though it may not be at the same level the US saw in 2024. Harris lays out how some unions may have more power than others, noting that autoworkers and writers have unique skillsets that make them hard to replace whereas warehouse workers may not have as much leverage.

Harris notes that incorporation of AI “is going to be an issue in some industries,” but states it's going to take time for us to see the full impact. Harris expects industries such as coding and journalism to feel the direct impact sooner than others.

Harris believes “collective bargaining is well-positioned to help address” job protection in the age of AI, but notes a large amount of US workers are not a part of any union.

For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live.

Editor's note: This article was written by Eyek Ntekim

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