Today is lived the largest wave of US strikes since the 1970s. He The hotel sector and the entertainment industry in Hollywood are unemployed, among their demands are a decent salary, the right to a pension and medical service, which will be a benefit in the future before the arrival of Artificial Intelligence "AI", which it will provoke future strikes to defend jobs.
During a press conference organized by Ethnic Media Services, a group of specialists addressed the issue of the current strikes in response to the labor demands of employees of hotels and restaurants, scriptwriters and actors, and the unions of United Parcel Services Inc, added to the danger in the labor market due to the arrival of Artificial Intelligence that will reduce jobs, leaving thousands of people without employment income.
María Elena Durazo, California state senator, explained that strikes have existed for years, seeking labor improvements and respect for rights when conditions are no longer decent in jobs.
While these marked history and should be applauded, employees who decide to go on strike should also be supported, he said.
«The problem that affects many people is the cost of housing, that is an issue that is giving strength to this militancy through strikes and that shows that their salary is not enough. Don't earn enough to pay rent or mortgage? As legislators we have to see our policies regarding housing, that is not the solution, but that is to be a partner and an ally», he stressed.
For the senator, being allies to these causes is essential for workers to be heard and make their lives easier in other areas.
For Nelson Lichtenstein, Research Professor in the Department of History at the University of California Santa Barbara "UCSB", where he directs the Center for the Study of Labor, Manpower and Democracy, Latinos are very important as a workforce.
The professor explained that the strikes of the past were normal, but the magnitude of the current ones is extraordinary given the low unemployment, since the workers are not afraid of going on strike as it is very easy to get a new job, something that was not seen before.
“Hollywood is on strike, maybe there is one in the auto industry, but I think it signifies a shift in consciousness that is happening now. We have unions that are 80 or 100 years old that in the past maybe were ineffective or corrupt but now they are full of young and passionate people, but also non-union workers don't strike, maybe they too are angry and quit , but they do not go on strike due to lack of support.
The teacher Lichtenstein he considers that unions have been a key player, hence the importance of belonging to one, unfortunately only 6 percent of all employees in the private sector belong to them.
Ada Briceño, co-chair of the workers Union Unite Here, stressed that employees seek to guarantee housing, a pension, living wages and health insurance, things that anyone should get when hired.
«This is the largest strike ever in the hotel industry. Today the hotel industry has record profits since the pandemic and yet the workers are having a lot of difficulties, they are renting rooms and they work in the morning, sometimes they stay to sleep in their cars, at this point they lack a paycheck to be left homeless, they have to travel 2-3 hours to get to work and it's a big burden for them but this is what it means excluding the hotel industry», he expressed.
Lucero Ramírez is a chambermaid in a five-star hotel, she cleans approximately 6 rooms a day, these are very large, equivalent to 6 apartments, but due to a lack of staff, the workload has increased and with few people the hotel seeks to maintain itself.
«I want a better payment to improve my life, I am very concerned about my pension and my health insurance, which is something very important for all people after the pandemic that has been very difficult for everyone», he commented.
Among her demands, she asks to return to the levels of employees they had before the pandemic, since now everyone does the work of 2 or even 3 people, something that is very tiring for her and her colleagues.
Jorge Rivera, vice president of the Latinx Writers Committee, WGAW/TV Writer and Producer, spoke of the scenario that exists in Currently, Hollywood, which is one of the industries most affected by the pandemic, is currently looking for job improvements.
«In the entertainment industry we also need health insurance, good income and we are struggling to have a sustainable career. The studios have made roughly $200 billion and it would cost them just 2 percent of that revenue to fix the 11,000-member economy.".
Rivera stressed that technology represents an opportunity, but also a risk. Now artificial intelligence is going to affect different industries, such is the case of the world of cinema in Hollywood, which is being replaced by AI in the editing and recording process, by digital programs or performances.
Emeritus professor Harley Shaiken, of geography and education at UC Berkeley, stressed that unions have evolved in line with social changes, however, workers have not been able to have a dignified life.
He added that with the entry of AI, the conditions of workers will be more affected, a situation that should concern everyone.
The expert said that, according to a report, by 2023, 30 percent of working hours will be impacted by AI.
Finally, the specialists agreed that social movements such as strikes are a fight for everyone, and that if the requested improvements are won today, it will be a benefit for the next generations, who will have a more difficult scenario having to compete with the new technologies.
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