As we face rapid technological change across many industries of our economy, the “future of work” has become a popular topic of discussion and debate — but far too often the people whose jobs are most likely to be impacted are missing from these conversations.

What would it look like if the workers in affected industries were in the center of these policy debates, guiding the questions that get asked, the technology that gets developed, how it gets rolled out, and for whom?

To address the lack of worker voice within ongoing debates about the future of work, in January we worked with partners at the UC Berkeley Labor Center to plan and host a first of its kind conference centering worker justice struggles in future of work policy debates — attracting over 250 worker leaders, organizers, advocates, academics, policymakers, and elected officials.

Convening conversations like the future of caring work, bargaining over new technology, data and surveillance in the workplace, and much more, we set the table for a different kind of conversation — one where delivery drivers, care workers, and app workers are seated as experts and set the terms of the conversation.

Throughout 2020, we also co-produced a series of policy studies with UC Berkeley Labor Center analyzing the potential impacts of technological change in healthcare, retail, and food (joining our prior studies on trucking and warehousing) and highlighting recommendations for centering worker voice and wellbeing as new technology is introduced.

Building on the lessons from our industry studies and statewide convening, we will continue to bring together the best strategic thinking from workers, organizers, policymakers, advocates and elected officials to ensure working people have a say in the future of their jobs.