Initial Labor Program

Published August 18, 2026 · Robot Labor Union Project

This program sets out the labor issues the project will prioritize while preparing to form a labor union, together with the initial activities planned once the union is formed. Its primary purpose is to maintain and improve workers’ working conditions and economic position as AI, robotics, and automation reshape the workplace. This program provides a basic framework for activity and is not a substitute for future union rules or collective agreements.

Priority 1 — Employment, staffing, and job redesign

When AI or robots change staffing needs or job content, workers should receive timely information and have an opportunity to address reassignment, job security, workload, and how the remaining work is distributed.

Priority 2 — Workload and hidden recovery labor

Automation can eliminate some tasks while creating others: checking outputs, correcting errors, handling exceptions, restoring stopped systems, documenting failures, and covering gaps. The project treats this hidden recovery work as a working-conditions issue and intends the planned union to continue doing so after formation.

Priority 3 — Human–robot safety and responsibility

Where people work alongside or with automated systems, safe operating rules, stop procedures, escalation paths, maintenance responsibilities, and accountability for errors must be clear and workable for those affected.

Priority 4 — AI monitoring, evaluation, and management

Workers should be able to understand when AI is used to monitor activity, evaluate performance, allocate shifts, recommend disciplinary action, or otherwise influence employment decisions. The project prioritizes transparency, human review, and procedures for challenging material errors, and intends the planned union to carry those priorities forward.

Priority 5 — Skills, training, and transition

Workers should not bear the costs of technological transition alone. When new systems materially change required skills or duties, adequate training, transition time, and fair consideration of reassignment should be part of workplace implementation.

Priority 6 — Worker participation in technology deployment

When the introduction of AI or robotics materially changes working conditions, workers should have channels for receiving information, raising concerns, proposing safeguards, and participating collectively in shaping implementation.

Initial forms of action

After formation, the union will build its organizational capacity in stages and develop activities including:

• consultation with members and collection of information about workplace issues;
• workplace-related requests and proposals, dialogue with employers, and collective bargaining;
• public statements, workplace surveys, and publication of practical information; and
• cooperation with labor organizations, experts, and relevant technical stakeholders.

Published: August 18, 2026