The California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO sent a resounding message to California Gov. Gavin Newsom and every other politician considering running for president in 2028: Stand with working people over billionaires, and fight for common-sense guardrails for artificial intelligence.
Joining President Lorena Gonzalez of the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO on Wednesday were National President Liz Shuler of the AFL-CIO, President Yvonne T. Brooks of the Georgia AFL-CIO, President Charlie Wishman of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Executive Secretary-Treasurer Susie Martinez of the Nevada State AFL-CIO and President Braxton Winston II of the North Carolina State AFL-CIO, as well as President Chris Hannan of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California.
California is at the cutting edge of technology adaptation and the artificial intelligence revolution. And so it falls to California to lead the nation, not just in innovation, but in achieving protections for workers against the worst excesses of AI. Whether it is Big Tech surveillance of workers or outright job replacement, these state and national leaders showed a united front in calling on Gov. Newsom and other potential 2028 candidates to work with Labor on this critical issue affecting workers in every sectors.
“I’m frustrated with a governor who’s more interested in his Big Tech billionaire friends than working people,” said Lorena Gonzalez, President of the California Federation of Labor Unions. “It’s time to bring workers and their representatives to the table.”
“Union members’ anxiety on AI isn’t just an issue of new technology and changes to the nature of work — it’s an example of Big Tech billionaires continuing to reap profits off the backs of working people,” said Chrissy Lynch, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. “Advances in productivity cannot be a trade-off for workers’ privacy or job security. States like California and Massachusetts have a real opportunity to lead on a worker-first framework and counter the Big Tech-fueled corruption and privatization coming out of Washington.”
Labor sent a strong message that no matter where Governor Newsom goes in this country, working people will expect him to step up and take action on the existential threat to workers that is AI.
—California Federation of Labor Unions
