Union Boss Sally McManus on AI's Impact: Push for Shorter Work Hours
Australia’s economic future will be a central topic at Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ upcoming three-day economic reform roundtable, where a curated group of business, policy, and union representatives will converge to propose solutions for the nation’s challenges. Among the influential figures participating is Sally McManus, Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), whose recent advocacy for a shorter working week, including the concept of a four-day week in some sectors, has garnered significant attention. These proposals arrive amidst broader calls for economic adjustments, such as reforms to negative gearing and changes to the taxation of mineral wealth.
While some might view the ACTU’s suite of bold reform proposals as overly ambitious, McManus contends that the current moment is precisely the right time for such discussions. She emphasizes that the union movement consistently aims to bring concrete solutions to the table, rather than simply identifying problems. Acknowledging that the ACTU’s perspective will naturally differ from others, McManus views this divergence as a positive force, believing that a clash of ideas ultimately fosters productive outcomes.
Despite initial skepticism from the government regarding a widespread four-day work week, McManus asserts the critical importance of maintaining this dialogue. She clarifies that the ACTU is not currently demanding immediate legislative changes to workplace laws, but rather framing the shorter working week as a vital component of broader discussions around productivity and the equitable distribution of benefits from technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence. Unions, she notes, are already actively pursuing reduced working hours across various industries, underscoring that this is not a novel concept but an evolving priority.
The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) also forms a crucial part of the ACTU’s agenda. While McManus remains open-minded on the specific mechanisms for AI regulation, she issues a stark warning about the urgency of action. Her concern stems from the belief that prolonged delays in regulatory frameworks disproportionately benefit large tech companies. She highlights that these corporations are currently collecting vast amounts of data – including personal information and the output of countless individuals’ work – to train their AI models. The fear is that without timely intervention, the financial and societal advantages derived from these powerful AI systems will accrue almost exclusively to these tech giants, rather than being broadly shared across society. The ACTU’s overarching goal is to ensure that the transformative potential of new technologies serves the greater good, benefiting everyone, not just a select few.
The discussions at the economic reform roundtable are therefore poised to address fundamental questions about the future of work, the equitable distribution of wealth in an age of rapid technological change, and the role of regulation in shaping a fair and prosperous society.