California labor unions rallied in San Francisco on September 4, urging Governor Gavin Newsom to sign nine bills aimed at regulating AI use in the workplace.
Union leaders warned that without protections, workers could face job displacement, increased surveillance, and algorithms making workplace decisions. The bills include provisions prohibiting non-human AI systems from firing or disciplining employees.
Nicolle Pillion, a remote service representative at a large hospital, shared her personal experience. About eight months ago, her hospital began using what she described as “emotion recognition software” to monitor her interactions with patients. “The software repeatedly told me I lacked emotional empathy during calls, popping up in real-time during my work to tell me how to change the way I speak,” Pillion said. “The last thing you need when you’re focused on a patient is an AI program judging your voice in real time.”
California Labor Federation President Lorena Gonzalez said: “We also introduced bills that say you can’t have an ‘AI boss’—a non-human should not be able to fire or discipline you.”
Former California Employment Development Department Director Michael Bernick took a different view, arguing workers should focus on adapting to technological change. He noted that workforce data does not show AI having a significant impact on overall job creation or loss. Newsom must sign or veto the bills by September 30.
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