Australia dock workers call for 28-hour week in AI talks
A union says workers are "in the crosshairs" of automation as AI is being tested across ports.
By BBC News
Dock workers in Australia are demanding a 28-hour workweek with no loss of pay as port operator DP World expands the use of artificial intelligence and automation across its facilities. The Maritime Union of Australia has stated that workers are “in the crosshairs” of automation as AI systems are being tested at ports, prompting the union to push for reduced hours to protect jobs and livelihoods.
This demand comes amid growing concerns that AI-driven efficiency could lead to job cuts or increased pressure on remaining staff, with the union arguing that shorter hours without pay reduction are essential to balance technological advancement with worker security. The union’s key condition is that all workers whose roles are threatened by AI and automation must be guaranteed the 28-hour week, ensuring that technological progress does not come at the expense of fair employment conditions.
DP World, a major global port operator, is currently negotiating with the union over new agreements that include AI integration, and the union has made this reduced-hour demand a central part of its bargaining position. The situation reflects a broader trend where labour groups worldwide are responding to AI adoption by seeking structural changes to work hours, pay, and job protection, rather than accepting automation as an inevitable force that will reshape employment without safeguards.
While DP World has not publicly confirmed whether it will accept the 28-hour demand, the union has indicated it will continue to fight for the right to reduced hours without pay loss, emphasizing that workers must not be left vulnerable as ports become more automated. The Maritime Union of Australia, which represents thousands of dock workers across the country, has framed this issue as a critical moment for labour rights in the age of artificial intelligence, warning that without intervention, automation could erode job stability and working conditions.
Industry observers note that if the demand is met, it could set a precedent for other sectors facing similar AI-driven changes, potentially influencing negotiations in mining, logistics, and manufacturing where automation is also expanding rapidly. The union has also highlighted that the 28-hour week is not just about reducing hours but about ensuring that workers can maintain their income while adapting to new technologies, which may require additional training or shifts in daily tasks.
As AI continues to be tested in Australian ports, the tension between technological innovation and labour protection is expected to intensify, with the union likely to escalate its campaign if DP World does not respond favourably to the reduced-hour proposal. The broader context includes recent strikes and labour actions in other Australian industries, such as iron ore workers at Port Hedland voting to strike in July, suggesting that worker dissatisfaction with automation and job security is a growing national issue.
This dock workers’ demand underscores the need for clear policies on how AI should be implemented in the workplace, including provisions for job protection, fair pay, and reasonable working hours, to ensure that technological progress benefits both companies and employees. The union’s stance is that automation should not lead to job losses or increased workload for remaining staff, and that reduced hours are a practical way to share the benefits of AI efficiency while protecting workers from negative impacts.
As negotiations continue, the outcome could have significant implications for the future of work in Australia’s port industry and beyond, potentially shaping how other sectors approach AI integration in the coming years.