The disruptive power of artificial intelligence worries people working in the media. Threats to the media from AI hit the headlines with two long-running strikes in Hollywood last year. Now the New York Times has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, two of the most prominent names in the AI industry, accusing them of using its articles without permission to train their artificial intelligence systems.
Unite London Digital & Tech branch meeting, 14 March 2024.
The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 is a major attack on workers’ rights. In this video Ian Allinson explains the background to the Act, what it means for unions and how we can beat it.
As workers in tech and digital industries we feel the need to speak out about Frank Hester, boss of health technology firm The Phoenix Partnership (TPP) and described as a ‘computer programmer’ by The Guardian.
What is the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act and why does it matter?
This new law introduces minimum service level (MSL) regulations in six industries: health, fire and rescue, education, transport, border security, and nuclear decommissioning and waste. The regulations specify the level of service to be maintained during industrial action, and employers can then apply this to any action taken by their workers by making the trade union ‘break its own strike’. So far employers in one high-profile dispute, of ASLEF train drivers, backed down from using the laws, but we can’t be complacent.
We are inviting all members of Unite the Union to join the first half of our branch meeting on Thursday 14 March at 6.30pm to discuss this attack on our rights. Register on Zoom.
Unite London Digital & Tech branch meeting, 11 January 2024.
Introduction by Claire Vernade, Group Leader at the University of Tübingen, Germany, in the Cluster of Excellence Machine Learning for Science. Claire is an ex-member of Unite, having previously worked building AI in industry.
Unite is organising free coaches for members to the demonstration in Cheltenham on Saturday 27 January against the Strike (Minimum Service Levels) Act, which will force unions to scab on their own industrial disputes. Our branch will be sending a delegation to show our solidarity with the campaign. Get in touch if you want to … Read more
Over the next months we’re dedicating the first half of our branch meetings to the subject of artificial intelligence. We’ve got a number of speakers lined up to give us a 20-25 minute introduction, which will be followed by free discussion. We feel that as technologists we have useful things to say about the profound impact AI is having on society, including on our working lives, and that our branch is an ideal place to host these debates.
Branch meetings are only open to branch members or invited guests such as our guest speakers. You can join Unite the Union here.
We’re encouraging members to take part in these events over the summer:
National Shop Stewards Network conference
The National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) is holding its conference on Saturday 24 June in Conway Hall, London between 11am and 4.30pm. From the NSSN’s bulletin:
The last year has proven that striking works, but the cost of living squeeze on workers is unrelenting. Alongside how to build solidarity with the current strikes, key questions for discussion at the Network conference will therefore include:
• How can we be better prepared for inevitable future strikes?
• It is possible to ‘all strike together’ in a 24-hour general strike?
• How can we fight the threat from the latest Tory undemocratic anti-union ‘minimum service’ legislation?
Hundreds of thousands of workers have been on strike for the first time. Many hundreds if not thousands have become workplace reps or stewards for the first time. Our conference will bring together active rank-and-file trade unionists – both new and longstanding – from across the whole of the trade union movement, including every union that has been involved in strike action. All union members are very welcome to attend and to fully participate in the discussion.
All candidates’ addresses and other details of the election can be found on the CES website. Ballots are being dispatched from Friday 27 March 2023 and voting closes at noon on Tuesday 25 April 2023. Members who have not received a ballot paper by 13 April 2023 should contact the ballot enquiry service by emailing support@cesvotes.com.
Union members everywhere are having to take strike action, often over terms and conditions but overwhelmingly over pay. The cost of living crisis is driving this. The Consumer Price Index is at over 10%, and food and drink costs have gone up 16.8% in the last year. We want to play our part in supporting … Read more
In accordance with the Rules of Unite it is necessary to elect members of the Unite Executive Council which will hold office until 30th April 2026. In accordance with the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 Civica Election Services has been appointed to act as Independent Scrutineer for this ballot. They can be … Read more
Our branch is sponsoring the London launch of Workers Can Win! A Guide to Organising At Work, by trade union activist Ian Allinson and published by Pluto Press, on Saturday 15 October. More details here. Register on Eventbrite. Registration is free and all are welcome!
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