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Microsoft, AFL-CIO reach deal on AI, labor neutrality
https://www.reuters.com/technology/microsoft-afl-cio-reach-deal-ai-labor-neutrality-2023-12-11/The two sides will also work together on the future of artificial intelligence, in a first-of-its-kind partnership on AI and the future of the workforce as business and labor grapple with the impact of the technology.
Microsoft President Brad Smith told Reuters the "neutrality agreement provides a high-level of commitment and clarity as to how we'll wo thrk with the AFL-CIO and its affiliates if we have employees or even employees of suppliers who want to pursue the formation of a union."
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said Microsoft's position was in stark contrast to other tech companies that aggressively fought efforts to unionize. "Their positioning is -- if workers want to organize we shouldn't stand in their way," Shuler said. "Every company basically fights us when workers want to organize."
Shuler said workers want a voice in how AI gets deployed "and do I have a future pathway if indeed my job gets downgraded."
We'll see.