Big Brother IS Watching
The largest companies in the world, from Amazon to Microsoft, are falling over themselves to invest vast sums of money in artificial intelligence (AI). To what end? They claim their technology will unleash innovation and productivity across the economy, but behind the curtain, we find yet another billionaire-backed project to control workers, destroy jobs, and consolidate wealth. Amazon warehouse workers have been subjected to so much AI surveillance that they “feel like [they’re] in prison.”
Surveillance Comes to Public Transit
Every sector of the economy will be affected, including education, healthcare, and even public transit. Already, companies like Lytx and Samsara are rolling out AI-powered surveillance systems across our industry. While we have dealt with AVL, DriveCam, and GPS technologies for many years, new AI systems continuously monitor and interpret employee behavior every moment they are working. Whether it’s scrutinizing an operator’s mood, seatbelt use, eating, or drinking, these systems have introduced a digital “Big Brother” to our workplaces.
Amidst an industry-wide employee shortage, constant monitoring only adds more anxiety, stress, and distraction to an already difficult job. Operators struggling to stay on schedule and assist passengers are now placed under a relentless threat of discipline. Our employers claim that these systems are intended to increase operational safety, but public transit is already 10 times safer than personal vehicles, according to the American Public Transportation Association. What is the safety benefit of blasting audible alerts inside the vehicle that distract operators and confuse passengers? It leads one to suspect that the actual intent is simply to chasten workers and, by extension, weaken their union.
Privacy, Data, and Discrimination Concerns
Beyond the prospect of harassment and unwarranted discipline, the implementation of AI-powered surveillance raises many important questions. Where is the data physically stored? Who has access to the data? Is the data sold to third parties? Is there a data retention policy? Are employees protected by a privacy policy? Does the system have a disparate impact on employees due to race, sex, or other protected statuses? What happens when there is a data breach? We must put our employers on the hot seat and demand answers to these questions if there is to be a modicum of transparency and accountability for the use of these systems.
Organizing to Fight Back
Succeeding in this effort will require every tool in our toolbox, and the ATU has already developed AI contract language for locals to work with. We must also submit information requests, file grievances, educate politicians, and mobilize our members for a fight. We can make a difference, but it is up to us to act. No one is going to do this for us. A “business as usual” approach to this critical issue will only sideline the ATU, undermine our contracts, and diminish our hard-won standards.