Efforts to modernize labor law have stalled in Washington for decades, leaving workers vulnerable to delayed contracts, retaliation, and corporate maneuvers. Meanwhile, a new challenge looms for workers: rapid advances in automation and artificial intelligence, which could threaten not only blue-collar jobs but also white-collar professions once thought untouchable.

Sean M. O’Brien, general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, joins Oren to discuss labor’s realignment in the Trump era and amid technological change. They discuss the Faster Labor Contracts Act, a new bipartisan proposal to guarantee workers a faster first contract. Additionally, they explore the pitfalls of all-or-nothing union strategies, what it takes to build coalitions across party lines, and how organized labor can and should respond to the coming wave of technological innovation.

Further Reading:

• “Unlock American Prosperity by Passing the Faster Labor Contracts Act,” by Sean M. O’Brien