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Harnessing technology: The workers' stake

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Abstract

Innovation has both potential benefits and possible destructive effects when viewed by the worker. This article presents some of the thinking of the AFL/CIO concerning this issue. Several methods to ease the human cost of industrial innovation are discussed. Early warning systems, income maintenance, transfers and relocation are suggested as helpful.

The point is made that the best way to stimulate innovation is to make sure the economy of the nation is at full employment, with strong consumer demand and high utilization of national resources.

A discussion is presented about the shift in technology caused by the expansion of the multinational corporations. This technology shift has a significant impact on our economy and should be understood better and possibly controlled.

Another major point of the paper deals with safety and safety regulations as they relate to innovation and to the worker.

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Further reading

  • American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations,Labor Looks at Automation, Washington, DC, 1969.

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  • Somers, Gerald G., Edward L. Cushman and Nat Weinberg, eds.,Adjusting to Technological Change, Harper & Row, 1963.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AFL-CIO Department of Research, USA

    Markley Roberts (Economist)

Authors
  1. Markley Roberts
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Additional information

This article is based on a statement by the Labor Advisory Committee on Industrial Innovation of the AFL-CIO.

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Roberts, M. Harnessing technology: The workers' stake. J Technol Transfer 3, 53–64 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02174850

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02174850

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