Big Tech lobbyists are pushing to federally ban state AI guardrails—a move that would strip local authority and leave workers vulnerable. We cannot let Congress tie the hands of states keeping workers safe. 📖 Read why: https://bit.ly/4fYpuK9 #WorkersFirstAI

Across the country, states are pushing for bipartisan guardrails to protect workers from surveillance, algorithmic bias, and other AI harms. Federal preemption would wipe out these critical protections. Get the latest on state progress: aflciotechinstitute.org/policy/issue... #WorkersFirstAI

As employers rush to deploy unchecked AI, union contracts are proving to be the strongest shield workers have to demand human oversight & transparency. Organizing is how we win. #WorkersFirstAI 📖 Read via @axios.com: https://www.axios.com/2026/07/26/union-contracts-ai-workplace-disruption

Unionized workers are bargaining with the bots

Collective bargaining can preserve jobs, pay and worker input as AI spreads.

axios.com

Proud to sign the @civilrightsorg.bsky.social letter with @aflcio.org, @aflcio.org, @afscme.bsky.social & 25 allies urging Congress to make civil rights the foundation of AI legislation. Equal opportunity means ending discrimination and ensuring access to good jobs. https://bit.ly/4z0GtnY

@massaflcio.bsky.social Chrissy Lynch set the tone at the "AI Should Work for Us" panel: we need a roadmap for technology that empowers workers, "not one that steals our data, our privacy, our jobs, our livelihoods, and our dignity."

On July 13, Tech Institute Executive Director Lauren McFerran and registered nurse Julia Truelove with @nationalnurses.bsky.social visited lawmakers to share a clear message: we must protect workers from AI harms and center worker voices in AI development. #WorkersFirstAI

On July 10, our Policy & Programs Director Crystal Weise participated in the #FutureSummit with the Future Caucus in Washington, D.C. Building a future that works for everyone requires state laws to protect workers.

No senior should have to wait weeks to see a doctor because a flawed AI system won’t authorize it. The Trump admin's WISeR program is delaying treatment for Medicare patients and putting tech companies’ interests first. Congress must end it.

Letter Supporting Legislation That Would End the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction Demonstration Program in Medicare | AFL-CIO

AFL-CIO supports the Congressional Review Act resolution (S.J.Res. 198) to end the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) demonstration program in Medicare.

aflcio.org

Big corporations using AI to discriminate against workers who are pregnant or have disabilities? Sounds pretty dystopian. But that's exactly what Meta workers are alleging. This can't be our future. We need meaningful guardrails to protect workers NOW! www.reuters.com/world/meta-u...

Meta used AI to target workers with medical conditions for layoffs, lawsuit claims

Twenty-six employees of Meta ‌Platforms have filed a novel lawsuit accusing the tech giant of using AI-powered software that disproportionately targeted people with disabilities or who took medical le...

reuters.com

.@aflciotech.bsky.social Executive Director Lauren McFerran joins @LaborReporters to discuss the @aflcio.org’s #WorkersFirstAI Initiative, and the need to institutionalize worker voice so technology can build shared prosperity. Watch here: https://youtu.be/QoKkGDpQyTo #WorkersFirstAI

How the AFL-CIO Tech Institute is Fighting for Human Oversight in AI

YouTube video by The Valley Labor Report

youtu.be

AI must work for us—not the other way around. At the 30th @aflcio.org Convention, the labor movement came together to demand that AI development remains guided by the needs and rights of working people. Watch the full “AI Should Work For Us” panel here: https://bit.ly/4pc62Os #WorkersFirstAI

AFL-CIO Convention General Session | Day 3, Part 1

Union leaders and activists from around the country are gathering in Minneapolis for our 30th AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention. Chapters: 0:00 10:34 - Program Begins, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler 11:08 - Omar Faruk Osman General Secretary, Federatio...

bit.ly

AI is the leading reason for layoffs in America for the fourth consecutive month. Workers are scared that they’re losing their place in this economy. AI guardrails that protect our jobs are more critical than ever.

AI Leads US Job Cuts for Record 4th Month as Tech Claims 31% of H1 Layoffs

AI layoffs 2026 led all stated reasons for US job cuts for an unprecedented fourth straight month as tech companies eliminated 139,156 workers — up 83% year over year — while committing 700 billion do...

techtimes.com

Three months ago, we worked w/ @aflcio.org to convene the #WorkersFirstAI Summit to demand a seat at the table in the AI economy. Today, that momentum continues. Watch our Summit highlight video to learn more about our fight to put workers over profits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isNLdSnbXjc

The Workers First AI Summit 2026

YouTube video by AFL-CIO Tech Institute

youtube.com

#WorkersFirstAI #4thofJuly

In her #AFTVoices column, OSEA President Sarah Wofford explores how AI is affecting affordability, student safety + advocacy, and how some employers are using it as an excuse not to hire clerical & other support staff. Learn how we can demand a say in shaping the changes ahead. ⤵️

What artificial intelligence means for education staff

By Sarah Wofford

aftvoices.org

Workers should not have to worry about AI spying on them at work… or having AI-obsessed bosses use the tech to make decisions about our careers. 90% of Americans want AI guardrails to protect our jobs and privacy. AI should work for us.

Workers are demanding AI guardrails. While states are passing AI protections, we need federal law to protect workers’ jobs and rights. Thank you, @markey.senate.gov, for reintroducing the No Robot Bosses Act and Stop Spying Bosses Act and promoting a pro-worker AI agenda.

Senator Ed Markey@markey.senate.gov · 2mo ago

No worker should be fired or disciplined by a machine. No employer should be able to watch their workers in break rooms or collect data to predict potential union activity. It’s time to put workers first in the technological age.

❌ MYTH: AI is inevitable and will probably take my job. ✅ FACT: We can make better policy choices to protect and improve American jobs. Through collective bargaining and strong guardrails, AI can build opportunity and make work better. Read more: https://bit.ly/4oOSJmD

AI can make workplaces safer, but only with workers involved. ⚠️We need guardrails to stop unsafe algorithmic management, protect professional judgment, and ensure employers stay responsible for safety.⚠️ Read more: https://bit.ly/4wczFS0 #WorkersFirstAI

AI is being weaponized to surveil, replace, and endanger workers. Unions prevent these harms by giving workers a seat at the table to negotiate for job security, privacy, and human oversight. Don’t face these changes alone. #WorkersFirstAI https://aflciotechinstitute.org/its-better-union

Workers should not have to worry about AI monitoring them on the job or stealing their data. 90% of Americans want AI guardrails to protect our jobs and privacy. Workers are united and ready to fight for an AI future that works for us, not just big tech.

@aflcio.org ’s Alex Rias warns that algorithms mirror and amplify existing inequality, acting as biased gatekeepers. We need strong guardrails against AI discrimination to protect everyone. #WorkersFirstAI #AFLCIO26 #Juneteenth

Lauren McFerran joined @washingtonpost.com Intelligence to discuss AI and the future of work. Her message to business leaders: listen to workers before implementing AI & invest in your workforce to ease the transition. https://bit.ly/4ouBYgw

The NY FAIR News Act has passed the State Senate and Assembly and is now on its way to the desk of Governor Hochul. Thank you to our amazing sponsors and champions, and to everyone who raised their voices in support of this important legislation to protect journalists and the public from AI!

We’re building a bigger tent. We’re making it clear that the future of technology is ours to shape. We believe AI should work for all of us, not the other way around! ✊ #AFLCIO26

“Technology is not a divine act.” – @fordfoundation.org's Sarita Gupta. 📢 Big Tech shouldn't be writing the rules for the future of work. We need guardrails to ensure technology serves working people. #WorkersFirstAI #aflcio26

More than 90% of working people favor AI guardrails to protect their jobs and privacy rights. The decisions that politicians make on AI right now are going to shape the next decades for working people. AI should work for us!

The entertainment industry has been on the front lines of the fight for AI guardrails. From deep fakes, to voice overs, AI poses a risk to our jobs and rights. @sagaftra.org's Duncan Crabtree-Ireland made it clear: Workers need a voice at the table on AI use at work.

We're pumped for Tuesday morning's interactive presentation on AI! Head over to the main stage at 9:20. We believe AI should work for all of us, not the other way around! #AFLCIO26

Live from Minneapolis! We have officially touched down for the 30th @AFLCIO Convention. If you’re on the floor, come find us! We’re running 5 essential micro-trainings all week to ensure workers lead the conversation on technology. 🧵 (1/4)