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Technology and automation - shaping the future of work
Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis says challenges and the opportunities of technology require good, effective relationships between unions and employers
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ON THE weekend of International Workers’ Day we celebrate workers’ contribution to society and reflect on the achievements of the labour and trade union movement. However we must also look to future challenges and, among many, the introduction of new technology in workplaces is one of the most prominent.
Technology has in many ways made our lives easier and more enjoyable, but there are significant concerns over how it is introduced and used in the workplace. The expansion of new technology and automation is an important and urgent issue for the trade union movement. It is estimated that nine in 10 UK employees will need to retrain by 2030, resulting in massive changes that are likely to affect how we do our jobs, what we do and how we are managed.
Usdaw surveyed over 3,000 members and found that 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.
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