California Teamsters Celebrate Passage of Assembly Bill 33 to Safeguard Jobs

California Teamsters Celebrate the Passage of Assembly Bill 33

In a significant step toward protecting middle-class jobs in California, the state's Teamsters celebrated the advancement of Assembly Bill 33 (AB 33) out of the Committee on Transportation. This legislation aims to require a trained human operator in any autonomous vehicle (AV) used for delivering goods directly to homes or businesses.

Peter Finn, the Teamsters' Western Region International Vice President and President of Joint Council 7, articulated a strong stance against the motivations behind AV technology investments. He highlighted how these advancements often prioritize profit margins over public safety and job security. In his words, "Lawmakers have a duty to protect Californians from the chaotic instability that Big Tech unleashes on society. The commonsense guardrails that AB 33 implements will go a long way toward fulfilling that obligation."

The push for this bill comes amid a recent poll indicating overwhelming voter support in California for regulating driverless cars and artificial intelligence (AI). Previous legislative efforts in regulating driverless vehicles have garnered a wide-ranging backing from both voters and lawmakers across the political spectrum.

Chris Griswold, the Teamsters International Vice President At-Large and President of Joint Council 42, reinforced the importance of AB 33, stating that while Silicon Valley may disregard the potential job losses resulting from automation, everyday citizens are deeply concerned about job security. "AV regulation is popular because people understand the risks. This is essential to protecting jobs and preventing billionaires from steamrolling an entire workforce in its reckless push for profit," he remarked.

Adding a personal perspective, Greg Cumulat, a Teamsters Local 150 member who participated in the committee hearing, emphasized the bill's relevance to his life. He shared, "The route I drive for work is in the same community where I live and where I'm raising my son. This bill would protect workers in the supply chain like me, out of recognition of the need for good jobs and public safety."

Founded over a century ago in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.3 million hardworking individuals across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Their advocacy for policies like AB 33 reflects their commitment to not only protecting jobs but also ensuring that technological advancements do not come at the expense of community welfare. As public discourse continues to evolve around the implications of AV technology, the Teamsters' stance on legislative measures like AB 33 serves as a crucial voice in the ongoing conversation about labor rights versus technological progress.

For further updates on the Teamsters and their advocacy, visit Teamster.org and follow them on X @Teamsters and Facebook at Teamsters Facebook.