澳大利亚工会联合会（ACTU）秘书长Sally McManus在即将离任前表示，人工智能对就业造成的经济范围威胁将成为工会未来的重点关注领域[1]。McManus代表约160万工人工作近十年，本月底卸任[1]。
她指出，如果AI大规模影响就业，问题的严重性将远超传统失业困境。McManus表示："如果AI影响整个经济，所需的远不止'咨询后失业'，因为人们找不到其他工作——因为AI也消除了那些工作"[1]。
面对这一潜在危机，McManus表示工会将要求政府采取强有力的干预措施[1]。这些措施包括在不降低薪酬的前提下缩短工作时间，以及考虑为受AI失业影响的人员免除HECS债务[1]。
McManus现年55岁，计划在卸任后进行耳蜗植入手术，休息并考虑下一步的职业动向[1]。她还提及在建筑、林业、海事、采矿和能源工会（CFMEU）改革期间，曾因人身安全问题收到警察警告[1]。
Sally McManus, secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, has outlined how artificial intelligence could force sweeping changes to employment conditions and government support systems if widespread job displacement occurs.[1] Speaking ahead of her departure from the role after nearly a decade representing approximately 1.6 million workers, McManus emphasized that AI poses an economy-wide employment threat warranting close attention.[1]
Should artificial intelligence substantially disrupt the labor market, McManus indicated that unions would demand robust government intervention extending far beyond conventional unemployment support.[1] She stressed that conventional retraining approaches would prove insufficient, stating: "If AI is affecting the whole economy, what's needed is far more than 'consulting after job losses' because people cannot find other work—because AI has also eliminated those jobs."[1] In response to such large-scale unemployment, McManus said unions would push for "reduced working hours without a cut in pay" and would consider seeking "HECS debt forgiveness for those who lose jobs to AI."[1]
McManus, who is 55 years old, will step down from her position at the end of this month.[1] She plans to undergo cochlear implant surgery and will take time to rest and reflect on her next steps following her departure.[1]
