A new poll from the AFL-CIO reveals that US workers overwhelmingly support pro-worker policies on artificial intelligence and view labor unions as the most reliable protectors against the effects of AI in the workplace. The survey, conducted with David Binder Research among 1,588 respondents nationwide, found that more than nine out of 10 workers back union-backed measures to regulate AI use. This growing consensus underscores a critical shift as automation and machine learning reshape industries from healthcare to media.
Key Findings: What Workers Want
The poll highlights near-universal demand for human oversight in AI-driven decisions. A striking 95% of workers support requiring that a human be the final decision maker on any issues affecting individual workers and their employment. Additionally, 92% back advanced guardrails against harmful uses of AI in workplaces, along with transparency and accountability requirements when employers deploy AI tools.
Every worker protection polled received support from at least 75% of respondents. This includes 75% supporting the expansion of opportunities for workers to form unions specifically to protect their jobs from AI. The data makes clear that workers see collective bargaining as a key defense against unchecked automation.
Union Victories Set the Standard
Through collective bargaining agreements, workers have increasingly secured protections on how AI is used in the workplace. Anna Iovine, unit chair of the Ziff Davis Creators Guild, which won AI protections in their 2024 contract, explained: “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.” Her contract includes editorial integrity protections, transparency for when and how AI is used, and a guarantee of no layoffs or reduced pay due to AI implementation.
In healthcare, Hannah Drummond, a registered nurse in North Carolina and union member with National Nurses United, fought to include AI protections in her 2024 contract. She noted that some hospitals have implemented AI for scheduling and using algorithms to estimate patient deterioration, despite errors in the statistical models. “We have technology language that says no new technology can be implemented that affects the delivery of patient care without going through the union first,” Drummond said. “No technology should de-skill or undermine our judgment. Patients are not guinea pigs.”
The Transparency Gap
Despite strong worker support for AI regulation, the poll reveals a massive transparency gap. Only 7% of workers said their employers disclosed how and when their work is monitored by AI. Meanwhile, 70% reported no such disclosure, and 23% were unsure. This lack of openness fuels distrust and reinforces the need for union-backed policies that mandate clear communication about AI use.
Overall, 78% of workers said it is extremely or very important that action be taken to protect them from the potential harms of AI. The poll underscores that workers are not anti-technology but want safeguards to ensure AI augments rather than replaces human judgment.
Industry Context and Implications
AI adoption is accelerating across sectors. In healthcare, algorithms assist with diagnostics and scheduling, but as Drummond warned, “AI is being used in hospitals without patients’ consent. This violates the heart of health care.” In media and tech, AI tools can generate content or automate editorial decisions, raising concerns about job displacement and quality. The AFL-CIO poll suggests that union representation is becoming a critical lever for workers to shape how AI is deployed.
Experts note that without strong guardrails, AI can exacerbate inequality and erode worker autonomy. The poll’s findings align with broader trends: the International Labour Organization has called for human-centered AI policies, while the European Union’s AI Act includes provisions for worker protections. In the US, legislative efforts remain fragmented, making collective bargaining a frontline strategy.
FAQ: Workers and AI Policy
What specific AI protections do workers want?
Workers overwhelmingly support requiring human final decision-making on employment issues (95%), advanced guardrails against harmful AI uses (92%), and transparency about employer AI use. They also want the ability to form unions to negotiate AI-related protections.
Why is union support for AI policies growing?
Unions provide a collective voice to negotiate binding contracts that include AI protections. Recent victories by groups like the Ziff Davis Creators Guild and National Nurses United show that union contracts can secure transparency, no layoffs due to AI, and a requirement for worker approval before new technology is implemented.
How many employers disclose AI monitoring to workers?
Only 7% of workers say their employers have disclosed how and when their work is monitored by AI. The vast majority—70%—report no such disclosure, highlighting a significant transparency gap that unions aim to close through collective bargaining.
