Dock workers in Australia are calling for a significant reduction in their working hours, demanding a 28-hour week with no corresponding pay cut. This unprecedented request comes as artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies are increasingly rolled out across the country's major ports, sparking fears over job security and the future of the workforce.
The push for automation is being spearheaded by DP World, one of the world's largest port operators. The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has stated that these technological advancements place workers' jobs "in the crosshairs," suggesting that up to a thousand jobs, or more than 60% of the dock and maintenance workforce, could be at risk. The union argues that if companies like DP World are to benefit from AI and automation, they must contribute a "social dividend" to ensure workers' livelihoods are not jeopardised solely to boost profits.
A study commissioned by the MUA and conducted by the Centre For International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research highlights that DP World, based in Dubai, is actively trialling AI tools to manage employees and optimise work schedules. The company has also proposed the introduction of AI-assisted remote-control cranes and driverless vehicles, signalling a broader shift towards automated operations. The MUA has been vocal, stating on 3 July that technology "should be used to improve workers' lives, not destroy them."
Currently, DP World dock workers in Australia typically work between 32 and 35 hours per week, depending on their specific location. The union's demand for a 28-hour week reflects a strategy to share the benefits of increased productivity from automation, rather than seeing it lead to job displacement. This negotiation sets a potential precedent for how industries grapple with the integration of advanced AI and robotics into traditional labour-intensive sectors.
DP World, which handles approximately a tenth of global container traffic and operates in 84 countries, has previously indicated that the use of AI is "no longer optional" but essential for managing increasingly complex supply chains. This stance underscores the global trend towards automation in logistics and shipping, making the Australian negotiations a significant barometer for future labour relations in a technologically evolving landscape.