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In a strong show of unity, Teamsters alongside firefighters, police officers, and elected officials convened at the Kentucky Capitol, voicing opposition against House Bill 7. This contentious bill seeks to authorize driverless trucks within the state, sparking concerns over job security and road safety.
Fred Zuckerman, Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer, emphasized the importance of local governance over technological interests. “We cannot let California’s Big Tech write laws for our state. Senators need to preserve good union jobs, safe streets, and the will of the people by stopping this bill dead in its tracks,” he stated.
The debate over driverless vehicles isn’t new, with incidents in states that have adopted this technology highlighting the risks. Notable mishaps include a pedestrian severely injured by a Cruise robotaxi in San Francisco and multiple investigations into the safety practices of autonomous vehicle companies.
Avral Thompson, Teamsters Central Region International Vice President, further criticized the bill. “Driverless trucks are a danger to highway safety and good jobs in Kentucky. Our elected leaders must listen to the workers of this state — not the corporations — and vote no on HB 7,” Thompson declared.
Public opinion mirrors these concerns, with polling indicating a significant majority of Kentucky voters are wary of the impact of driverless vehicles on jobs and safety.
John Stovall, President of Teamsters Joint Council 94, highlighted the broader implications of automation on the workforce. “Many drivers across Kentucky have good-paying union jobs… If automation in other sectors of the economy has demonstrated anything, it’s that the jobs that replace those lost to automation are low-wage, exploitative, and nowhere close to being middle class,” Stovall warned, advocating for a more equitable approach to the introduction of artificial intelligence.
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