A recent poll conducted by the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of labor unions in the United States, has revealed that an overwhelming majority of US workers support pro-worker policies on artificial intelligence (AI) and view labor unions as the most reliable protectors of workers from the effects of AI.
Key Findings from the Poll
The survey, which polled 1,588 respondents across the US from April 14 to April 22, found that more than nine out of ten workers expressed support for policies on AI that labor unions may champion. Specifically, 95% of respondents supported a requirement that a human be the final decision maker on any issues affecting individual workers and their employment. Additionally, 92% backed advanced guardrails against harmful uses of AI in workplaces, along with demands for transparency and accountability when employers deploy AI systems.
Every worker protection measure included in the poll received approval from at least 75% of those surveyed. Notably, 75% of respondents supported expanding opportunities for workers to form unions to safeguard their jobs from AI-related disruptions.
Workers' Sentiments on AI in the Workplace
The poll comes as workers increasingly seek and secure protections on AI usage through collective bargaining agreements. Anna Iovine, unit chair of the Ziff Davis Creators Guild, which won AI protections in their contract in 2024, emphasized the importance of worker self-defense. She stated, “It’s the latest way that companies can lay people off, reduce their workforce and cut corners by saying, ‘oh, well, we’ll just have AI do it,’ even if the results are bad, as we’re seeing. So I think it is important for workers to protect themselves.” Her union's contract includes editorial integrity protections, transparency requirements for AI use, and a guarantee of no layoffs or pay reductions due to AI implementation.
Hannah Drummond, a registered nurse in North Carolina and a union member with National Nurses United, also fought for AI protections in her 2024 contract. She highlighted concerns about hospitals using AI for scheduling and predictive algorithms without worker approval. “We have technology language that says no new technology at all can be implemented that affects the delivery of patient care without going through the union first, and no technology should de-skill or undermine our judgment,” Drummond explained. She added, “We should not be experimenting on our patients. Patients are not guinea pigs. Patients who participate in clinical trials have informed consent. AI is being used in hospitals without patients’ consent. This violates the heart of health care.”
Trust in Labor Unions Over Politicians and Employers
When asked which entities they trust most to protect workers from AI, 38% of respondents chose labor unions, compared to 17% for Democrats, 10% for Republicans, and only 6% for employers. A further 18% selected none of the options. The poll also revealed that 78% of workers believe it is extremely or very important to take action to protect workers from potential AI harms.
Only 7% of workers said their employers had disclosed how and when their work is monitored by AI, while 70% reported no such disclosure, and 23% were unsure. A striking 94% of workers agreed that employers should inform them if AI is used to monitor their work.
Union Leaders Respond
Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, commented on the poll results, stating, “These results make it clear: our Workers First Initiative on AI is not just a set of principles, but a mandate to deliver. The vast majority of America’s workers agree on how to move forward on AI and who they trust to do it, and it’s not Democrats, Republicans, Big Tech, or their employers – it’s the labor movement.”
The poll underscores a growing consensus among US workers that labor unions are essential in navigating the challenges posed by AI, with strong support for policies that prioritize human oversight, transparency, and worker protection.
