After the Transport Workers Union announced it secured first-of-its-kind contract language to give labor veto power over the deployment of autonomous vehicles, the national media is taking note.
Politico first covered the announcement of contract language with the Central Ohio Transit Authority that prevents the agency from laying off Bus Operators or Mechanics or reducing wages because of new or modified transit technology.
Axios did a deep dive on the contract language drafted by the TWU Technology Task Force and TWU Local presidents, including Local 208 President Jarvis Williams. Axios writes that TWU “negotiated an unprecedented labor deal with a local transit agency that gives them veto power over autonomous vehicles.”
And the transit agency in Ohio told Axios that their position on technology is about making mobility safer and more efficient – not replacing jobs. COTA spokesperson Jeff Pullin said the use of technology is “not a means of replacing our outstanding workforce.”
TWU International President John Samuelsen told Axios that the gameplan is to insist on similar language in upcoming transit contracts across the country. The TWU has 37 transit locals across the country, including in Houston, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Akron, Ann Arbor, Omaha, San Francisco, Winston-Salem and others.
“Nearly every transit company is coming up for bargaining in the next 18 months,” Samuelsen said. “We’re negotiating this language in every city.”
Finally, the TWU’s push is getting global attention, with the International Transport Workers’ Federation highlighting the COTA language. ITF Urban Transport Director Alana Dave said “rash automation decisions, without proper consultation with unions, completely undermines the ‘social function’ of drivers and public transport staff.”
“Automation drives, and the replacement of essential personal absolutely ignores, the social function of drivers. This is a severe safety issue for passengers, but it’s also a question whether we want to move towards an even more atomised society,” Dave wrote. “The introduction of automated vehicles is a financial and social choice and it’s good that TWU and Central Ohio Transit Authority have made this agreement because it puts people first and ensures a social and democratic say over greater introduction of technology in the future.”
