At some ports, remarkable machines now move shipments with no humans in sight.
That innovation upsets unions. International Longshoreman’s Association president Harold Daggett says they’ll soon strike if automation isn’t completely banned.
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“If I don’t get that, I’m not coming back to the table!” Daggett shouts.
He has been clear about the harm that will impose on Americans.
“Guy sell cars can’t sell cars because the cars aren’t coming in off the ships… constructions workers get laid off because the materials aren’t coming in.”
The union boss wants to protect his union’s jobs, but there’s a cluelessness to his demands. Banning automation will also hurt his members.
“They’ll save some jobs today,” economist Liya Palagashvili explains, “but they’ll destroy a lot more jobs in the future.”
That’s because shippers have choices. They’ll just send goods to the more efficient, automated ports.
That’s just one of the things unions get wrong about automation.
Our new video explores how automation will make the future safer and richer, if only unions get out of the way.
