CTWA calls for federal leadership on use of AI by Canada’s telecom giants

Unifor, the United Steelworkers and CUPE, united as the Canadian Telecommunications Workers' Alliance (CTWA), jointly presented to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) on Thursday, April 30.

Unifor Telecommunications Director Roch LeBlanc delivered opening remarks for the Alliance, alongside Natalie Blais, CUPE Research Representative and Corey Mandryk, Lead Organizer, United Steelworkers National Local 1944.

The CTWA is an alliance of three of the largest unions in Canada, representing more than 32,000 workers in the telecommunications sector, including those at Bell, Rogers, and TELUS.

In his opening remarks, LeBlanc raised the alarm about how new AI technology is being used for misleading purposes in the telecommunications sector, including at one company where it is being used to mask the accents of overseas call centre workers.

"You can't have a conversation about AI without it leading to, 'yeah but it's going to take away my job.' A proper AI framework from the government and the accompanying regulations, is important to adopt quickly," said Mandryk at the meeting. "Canadians are worried about AI adoption and AI replacing their work."

For more than 100 years in Canada, telecom workers have adapted and embraced new technology on the job.

While AI can provide new opportunities, the CTWA has first-hand experience with Canadian telecom companies adopting new technologies with the express purpose of cutting the Canadian workforce, even to the detriment of customer service and service delivery.

"Automation and offshoring of work have led to the loss of more than 20 thousand telecom jobs in the past 10 to 15 years, and AI is now intensifying this trend steadily with exit package offerings every year," said LeBlanc.

The CTWA called on government to establish a national AI framework that protects the privacy, data and rights of customers and workers, as well as protecting good Canadians jobs.

"If we don't consider the voices of workers and the public, then we may lose track of personal data. There are risks connected to our data being run through AI systems, most of which are being operated from south of the border," said Blais. "As well, if the adoption of AI does lead to increased job loss, then is our EI system ready? All the government focus on AI is on science and commercial development, rather than on social development."

To this end, the CTWA recommends the federal government establish a permanent tripartite working group on AI - including employers, labour, and civil society to continue to build on this framework, protecting Canadians' privacy, sovereignty and jobs during this time of rapid technological change.

To see the latest from the CTWA, visit ctwa-actt.ca