Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers), has produced a manifesto for addressing issues around the impact of new technology and automation. The manifesto focuses on securing new technology agreements with employers, calling on the government for a legal duty around Equality Impact Assessments on new technology and legal workplace consultation on implementing new tech.
The expansion of new technology and automation is an important and urgent issue for the Trade Union Movement. It is estimated that nine in ten UK employees will need to retrain by 2030, resulting in massive changes across the workplace. New technology is likely to affect how we do our jobs, what we do and how we are managed. This National Executive Council Statement looks at how technology is already impacting on our members, what the future impact is likely to be, what protections need to be put in place for workers and how we can ensure that everyone shares in the benefits of this new technology. The Union surveyed over 3,000 members on new technology and automation. This has given us really detailed information on members' experiences which underpin this statement, and I am grateful to all those who participated. Too many employers are introducing new ways of working without consulting their workforce. As well as negatively affecting our members, this is also resulting in employers, all too often, wasting money on technology that does not work properly. Many employers are not offering the training required to ensure that workers can use technology as it is introduced.
The statement sets out Usdaw's priorities to ensure that members are best placed to benefit from future changes in the workplace.
The Union wants:
Workers' representation in discussions with the Government and employers over new technology.
Protections so that already disadvantaged groups do not face further negative impacts as a result of changes in the workplace.
A New Deal for Workers that provides job security and a genuine living wage.
This statement outlines various challenges Usdaw and our members face in the changing world of work. Only through understanding these challenges will the Union be best placed to shape the future of work and get the best possible deal for members.