{"id":8157,"date":"2025-11-05T09:35:42","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T08:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unionsyndicale.eu\/?post_type=agora_article&p=8157"},"modified":"2025-11-05T10:02:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T09:02:19","slug":"ai-is-coming-but-were-not-leaving","status":"publish","type":"agora_article","link":"https:\/\/unionsyndicale.eu\/en\/agora_article\/ai-is-coming-but-were-not-leaving\/","title":{"rendered":"AI Is Coming, But We\u2019re Not Leaving !"},"content":{"rendered":"
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AI Is Coming, But We\u2019re Not Leaving !<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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AI Is Coming, But We\u2019re Not Leaving !<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Agora #95<\/span><\/div>
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Above all, AI must not replace people. It should serve staff, improve services, and reflect our shared European values. <\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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AI Must Not Replace People: Union Syndicale F\u00e9d\u00e9rale Supports EPSU Call for Public ownership and worker involvement to EU Apply AI Strategy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

As the European Commission prepares to launch its \u201cApply Artificial Intelligence Strategy,\u201d Union Syndicale F\u00e9d\u00e9rale (USF)<\/strong>, as an affiliate of EPSU, fully supports the strong message sent by EPSU to the Commission<\/a>: artificial intelligence must not replace workers \u2014 and certainly not without proper consultation, protection, and planning.<\/p>\n

There is a very real risk that, without a clear and inclusive transition plan, the Commission or other institutions may one day present action plans eliminating 10\u201320% of positions, citing AI as the justification. This would mirror past situations \u2014 for instance, the sudden shift to telework during the COVID-19 crisis, which was once abstract and then rapidly became permanent, leading to major structural decisions such as the sale of EU office buildings. USF warns that we must not be caught off guard again.<\/p>\n

It would be a dangerous mistake to believe that only lower-grade or technical staff are at risk. The pace of AI development means that no job can be considered completely secure \u2014 not lawyers, not economists, not statisticians, not assistants. We urge our colleagues, including AD staff, to understand that this issue concerns us all. AI is not only about automation of routine tasks \u2014 it is increasingly affecting complex, intellectual roles as well.<\/p>\n

Too often, technological change is introduced from the top down, with little or no involvement from the workers who will ultimately be expected to use these tools. We strongly insist that staff must be consulted from the outset. This is not only a matter of democratic workplace practice \u2014 it is essential to building the trust, ownership, and cooperation necessary for ethical and effective AI integration in public services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Across public administrations, education, healthcare, and the judiciary, workers continue to report being excluded from decision-making around AI. Systems are introduced without input, and staff are left untrained or uninformed. This undermines both the trust of workers and the effectiveness of the tools themselves. Union Syndicale F\u00e9d\u00e9rale joins EPSU in demanding meaningful consultation with staff and their representatives, and that collective bargaining must play a central role in how AI is deployed across the EU institutions and public services.<\/p>\n

We are not against technology. AI can, when used responsibly, assist workers, reduce excessive workloads, and improve services. But none of this can happen if staff are left behind. When AI replaces or reduces certain tasks, that must never be used as an excuse to eliminate jobs. Instead, it must trigger investment in reskilling, retraining, and job reorientation. The organisation has a responsibility to ensure that no worker is left without a future.<\/p>\n

We acknowledge that AI is transforming the world of work. Some roles will inevitably evolve, and certain tasks may become obsolete. However, we firmly reject the idea that people themselves should be considered redundant. While job functions may shift, workers must be retained, retrained, and reoriented<\/strong> within the organisation. That is our core demand \u2014 one we share with our EPSU partners across Europe.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Union Syndicale F\u00e9d\u00e9rale also sees this moment as an opportunity to rethink how we work. If AI is truly capable of reducing workloads, then those benefits must be shared with workers. Instead of replacing people, why not reduce working time? \u00a0USF supports exploring a four-day work week<\/strong> or reduced working hours as a just and innovative response to increased productivity. It is time to have this conversation \u2014 not after jobs are lost, but before decisions are made.<\/p>\n

EPSU\u2019s call<\/a> for public ownership of digital infrastructure and democratically governed cloud services is another crucial point we support. Public sector data must not be handed over to private foreign companies without oversight. We join EPSU in calling for digital sovereignty, public investment, and worker involvement as key pillars of Europe\u2019s AI strategy. Public services must remain public \u2014 and that includes their digital backbone.<\/p>\n

Above all, AI must not replace people. It should serve staff, improve services, and reflect our shared European values. This transition must be inclusive, fair, and grounded in social dialogue. That is why Union Syndicale F\u00e9d\u00e9rale stands fully behind EPSU\u2019s letter to the Commission, and why we are calling for immediate and ongoing consultation with staff representatives on any AI initiative affecting jobs, working conditions, or service delivery.<\/p>\n

This is a collective issue, and it calls for a united front. USF invites all trade unions, staff representatives, and colleagues to come together around these demands and ensure that the AI transition is shaped with, not against<\/strong>, \u00a0the people who make public services work.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

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Niels BRACKE<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/div>
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR<\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div>
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Niels Bracke is the president of Union Syndicale Bruxelles (USB) as well as vice-president of Union Syndicale F\u00e9d\u00e9rale from EEAS section.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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