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Montréal – Following the publication of a report from OBVIA, the Observatoire international sur les impacts sociaux de l’intelligence artificielle et du numérique, a number of labour unions – the APTS, CSQ, CSN, FIQ, FTQ, CUPE Québec, SFPQ, and SPGQ as well as the Syndicat des Métallos and Unifor Québec – are calling for a more rigorous oversight of the deployment of artificial intelligence. The unions emphasize the importance of transparent governance, active participation on the part of workers and their representatives, and bigger investments in training and skills development.

The findings of the survey, which involved thousands of Québec union members,  confirm what unions had already seen on the ground: AI is well established in workplaces, but the way it is implemented is rarely discussed with workers or their representatives. The unions point out that no major technology can responsibly be deployed without transparency for the people who are directly affected by it.

“The OBVIA report highlights a general lack of transparency about organizations’ use of AI today and in the future,” said Robert Comeau (APTS), Éric Gingras (CSQ), Caroline Senneville (CSN), Julie Bouchard (FIQ), Olivier Carrière (FTQ), Danick Soucy (CUPE), Michel Girard (SFPQ), Guillaume Bouvrette (SPGQ), Nicolas Lapierre (Syndicat des Métallos) and Daniel Cloutier (Unifor Québec). “Too many workers don’t even know if AI systems are shaping their work, their conditions of practice or decisions that affect them. This opacity breeds mistrust and erodes confidence in employers.”

The unions argue that overseeing the use of AI in the workplace is particularly urgent given that new management systems based on AI are more likely to increase surveillance and control. As the OBVIA report points out, employers should favour AI applications that support employees in their work rather than those designed to control them. The report shows that organizational oversight of AI is largely inadequate or poorly understood. 

“The lack of clear policies opens the door to arbitrary uses, an intensification of work, and even abusive control of employees,” said the spokespersons.

The unions believe that AI training should be offered during working hours, with a focus on AI tools that are adapted to the realities of each setting. In addition to ensuring that people keep their jobs, the training must make it possible for them to understand AI tools, question them, and assess their impact.

“The report confirms to what extent we are lagging behind in terms of training,” said the union leaders. “Most of the people surveyed say they don’t have access to AI training or don’t even know if such training exists. And yet, workers are more and more often required to use these tools and take responsibility for mistakes.”

The unions emphasize that AI must not deepen inequalities, especially at a time when it is more and more difficult for young people to find entry-level positions. “We need to invest in training so that everyone can adapt and keep their place in a changing work environment.”

The findings of the OBVIA report must give rise to a genuine social dialogue about AI in the workplace. The report shows that greater transparency, better training and greater trust are the outcome when unions are involved.

“Deployment of artificial intelligence in the workplace can’t be allowed to happen at the expense of employees,” concluded the union spokespersons. “On the contrary, AI must help improve both working conditions and the quality of services provided to Quebecers.” 

Sources : APTS, CSQ, CSN, FIQ, FTQ, SCFP, SFPQ, SPGQ, Syndicat des Métallos, Unifor Québec