Union Leaders Urge Regulation of AI for Worker Protection
At a press conference held on February 4, 2026, in Sacramento, prominent union leaders voiced their concerns regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on workers. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, California Labor Federation President Lorena Gonzalez, and heads of several state labor federations emphasized to Governor Gavin Newsom that if he aspires to run for president, addressing AI’s implications on employment is imperative.
Call for Statewide Regulations
The California Labor Federation is advocating for a range of regulations to safeguard workers. Key proposals include:
- Limitations on how managers utilize predictive AI.
- Advance notice of AI-related job cuts.
- Restrictions on workplace surveillance.
Gonzalez highlighted the necessity of engaging with working-class voters, stating, “I don’t think you’re going to have a lot of motivation to walk precincts for somebody who won’t engage working class voters on the very things that are taking away their jobs.”
Political and Economic Context
The push for AI regulation underscores the unions’ priorities amid a projected $18 billion budget deficit in California for the upcoming fiscal year, with the state increasingly depending on AI for tax revenue. Critics warn that harming business profitability could lead to broader economic downturns, particularly for a governor eyeing federal office.
Despite union efforts, several AI-related bills aimed at worker protection were vetoed by Newsom or failed to pass the legislature last year. One notable example was a proposal to protect truckers from autonomous vehicles, which faced two vetoes.
Public Support for Regulation
Union leaders argue that there is significant public backing for AI regulation. A national Gallup poll from September 2025 revealed that 80% of Americans favor regulations to protect them from AI, even if it slows innovation. Similar surveys conducted in late 2025 by Carnegie California and TechEquity indicate strong support among Californians for protections against AI.
In this context, Gonzalez announced the labor federation’s intention to support two dozen bills this year aimed at addressing the negative impacts of AI on workers. She noted that the governor has yet to adequately address the impending challenges posed by AI.
Concerns Beyond Job Loss
For many workers, concerns about AI extend beyond the threat of job loss. There is growing evidence that AI can:
- Fuel wage theft.
- Increase injury rates in warehouses.
- Diminish workers’ self-worth.
- Push individuals toward lower-skilled roles.
- Facilitate surveillance to hinder union organizing.
Legislative Efforts and Challenges
This year, the California Labor Federation plans to support Senate Bill 947, which aims to prevent businesses from making management decisions based solely on AI predictions regarding employees. The new version of the bill has removed a requirement for businesses to notify employees before AI is used in disciplinary decisions.
Additionally, the federation is backing measures that require employers to provide advance notice before replacing jobs with AI and a bill aimed at curbing AI-driven workplace surveillance, which did not garner enough support last fall.
Governor’s Balancing Act
As he enters his final year in office, Newsom faces the challenge of balancing regulation of AI with the interests of businesses that benefit from it. A 2023 executive order aimed to protect against potential harms of generative AI while also encouraging its use. The formation of a frontier AI working group last year provided recommendations for harmonizing protections and innovation.
In his recent state of the state address, Newsom remarked, “No technology holds more promise and more peril, to jobs, to our economy, to our way of life than artificial intelligence.”
The Influence of Tech Interests
As pro-AI political action committees (PACs) gain traction, there is growing concern about the potential for tech wealth to influence political decisions. Companies like Meta and OpenAI have significantly increased their lobbying expenditures in California, with Meta spending $4.6 million last year alone.
Democratic Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal expressed alarm at the rise of pro-AI PACs, warning of the risks posed by tech interests becoming entrenched within the political landscape.
As the situation evolves, union leaders continue to advocate for necessary regulations that protect workers from the disruptive impacts of AI, urging the governor to heed their calls before it’s too late.
