Teamsters Urge Senate to Pass AB33, Support Middle-Class Jobs

Push for Legislative Action on Autonomous Vehicles in California

As California faces the increasing presence of autonomous vehicles, the Assembly Bill 33 (AB33) is garnering significant attention. After passing the state's lower legislative chamber, the bill now awaits action from the state Senate. Crafted by Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, AB33 is a bipartisan proposal aimed at mandating human oversight in autonomous vehicles tasked with commercial deliveries.

Peter Finn, President of Teamsters Joint Council 7, emphasized the broader implications of this legislation, noting its potential impact on the national workforce. “California is the front line of the war against Big Tech billionaires who want to destroy American jobs through automation. What happens here will impact millions of workers throughout the country,” Finn stated.

Recent setbacks in the autonomous vehicle sector have added fuel to the debate. Notably, Waymo and Zoox have recalled vehicles following safety issues, while Aurora Innovation has reintroduced human operators to their trucks after brief autonomous trials.

Chris Griswold, President of Teamsters Joint Council 42, expressed strong concerns regarding the current capabilities of autonomous systems. “We’ve seen enough of what automated driving actually looks like — it is dangerous, disastrous, and vastly inferior to a highly trained human operator,” he remarked. He urged swift legislative action, cautioning against a future where professional drivers might be supplanted by technology. AB33, he argued, is essential to safeguard employment and public safety.

Established in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters serves over 1.3 million workers across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. For further details, visit Teamster.org. Follow their updates on X @Teamsters and on Facebook.com/teamsters.