Algorithmic management and trade unions

Emerging research highlights the profound impact of data-driven and algorithmic management in recruitment, HR, staffing, and monitoring on the work environment, work organisation, and workers’ growing precarity. However, a significantly underexplored area is how workers can mobilise, organise, or resist AI-driven work management processes. This project aims to contribute to this area by addressing workers’ rights concerns. AI and algorithmic management have been found to significantly undermine workers’ opportunities and conditions to unionise or otherwise act collectively: this pilot study and the subsequent project aim to advance knowledge in this field beyond the current state of the art. We specifically focus on mapping the current landscape of political thinking and action-readiness, which refers to the attitudes and preparedness of unions and civil society to respond to algorithmic management. We also look ahead to potential future developments.