Unions say government must do more to plan for rise of automation and protect working people

The government needs to set out long-term ambitions for industry following the rise and rise of automation and the need for companies to reduce their carbon footprint, according to a new report.

Union leaders at the TUC said that, without strong guidelines and action at a local level, communities in industrial cities and towns could suffer.

The report, unveiled publicly on Monday, is written by the New Economics Foundation.

Andy Haldane, chief economist at the Bank of England and chair of the government’s Industrial Strategy Council, attended the event.

The report says job quality, social partnerships, long-term planning, life-long learning and central procurement are all key to ensuring industry can survive.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady explained that:

Automation, artificial intelligence and the need to decarbonise the economy are set to make sweeping changes to industry. But that must not mean communities being swept aside.

When working people and communities are involved in making plans, industrial transformation can mean positive change.

The main goal of local industrial strategies must be the creation of good jobs. And the foundation must be co-operation between government, industry and unions, with workers and communities taking part in making plans.

Haldane explained that he wants ministers to fully engage with communities and unions.

He said: “The Government’s industrial strategy relies for its success on multiple stakeholders working in partnership – government, central and local, private companies, workers and trade unions, universities and colleges, communities and civil society.”

The government has already said it plans for each part of the UK to be covered by a local industrial strategy by early next year but critics have pointed out that previous attempts to reinvigorate struggling towns following major factory closures have been unsatisfactory.

Alice Martin, head of work and pay at the New Economics Foundation, said:

The UK has an appalling track record on managing industrial change in a fair and just way.

Given the critical juncture we are at with climate change and accelerating automation, leaving impacts on UK jobs and industries to the whim of global market forces will only deepen existing divides and inequalities.

It is important now more than ever that politicians take steps to understand the nuts and bolts of industrial change in practice, and how it can be shaped by the state, employers and unions representing the workers and communities affected.

Several car companies have announced plans to close factories or shift production elsewhere in recent months.

Some of the issues have been blamed on Brexit, but the rise in demand for hybrid and electric vehicles has also had an impact.

Last week, the boss of Ford Europe told MPs that the Bridgend factory would be closing next year primarily due to a lack of demand for the engines made there, compared with greener versions.

Nissan and Honda have also both announced plans to cut back, although Mini announced it would build a new electric version at its Oxford plant.

With a nod to the rise and rise of online shopping, the increase in warehouse picking jobs and automation growing, the report also calls for ensuring workers feel secure and have a “genuine stake” in their local area.

Concerns have previously been raised that some staff are being forced onto zero-hours contracts and made to work excessive hours, where they are constantly monitored.

The report also calls for lessons to be learned from the past and ensure training is available for workers who may need to take on new skills.