Kentucky Teamsters Oppose Silicon Valley's Autonomous Truck Bill

TL/DR -

Teamsters, firefighters, police officers, and other union members protested in Frankfort, Kentucky, against House Bill 7, which could make driverless trucks legal in the state with little to no oversight. There are safety concerns related to autonomous vehicles following reports of accidents and near-miss incidents involving robotaxis in various states. A survey shows that over 80% of Kentucky voters would be less likely to support their legislature if they voted to permit driverless cars on Kentucky roads, and they expressed concerns about potential job losses caused by the technology.

In Giveaway to Big Tech, HB 7 Could Kill Jobs and Risk Motorist Safety

Teamsters, union members, and elected officials convened at Kentucky Capitol to urge senators to reject House Bill 7, a controversial legislation that could permit driverless trucks in Kentucky without significant oversight.

“Lawmakers must resist California’s Big Tech dictating our state laws. We need to pass laws that prioritize Kentucky residents,” argued Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman. “We must safeguard union jobs and safe roads by halting this bill.”

There are numerous safety issues in areas already hosting driverless vehicles. Robotaxis have impeded first responders, traffic, city workers, and ambulances. A Cruise robotaxi incident involved a pedestrian being dragged 20 feet in San Francisco in October 2023, prompting a Department of Justice investigation into Cruise. Additionally, after reports of the vehicles nearly colliding with children, another investigation was opened. A Waymo robotaxi hit a cyclist last week, and the company issued a large software recall after two robotaxis crashed into the same truck consecutively in Phoenix.

“Automated trucks pose risks to highway safety and secure jobs in Kentucky. These firms prioritize profit over road safety and the jobs jeopardized by this untested technology,” said Avral Thompson, Teamsters Central Region International Vice President. “Our leaders must reject HB 7 and heed state workers, not corporations.”

A recent poll indicates over 80% of Kentucky voters would be disinclined to support their legislature if they greenlighted driverless vehicles, fearing the potential job losses.

“Many Kentucky drivers have well-paid union jobs and contracts won after years of struggle,” noted John Stovall, President of Teamsters Joint Council 94. “If history is any guide, jobs lost to automation are replaced with low-wage, exploitative positions far from middle class. AI should be rolled out in a way that benefits all, not just the privileged few.”

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, founded in 1903, represents 1.3 million hardworking individuals in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. For additional information, visit Teamster.org or follow on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

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