# US public-sector workers fight AI job protections and win contract deals

> Original title: US public workers are fighting to protect their jobs from AI – and some are winning

- Source: The Guardian · AI
- Published: 2026-11-12T15:00:44.000Z
- Bad Influence: https://badinfluence.news/items/ya2ofjuyuvlc13ndqiyun6uht
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/nov/12/us-workers-governments-unions-ai

## Summary

Oakland city workers and their union reached a tentative three-year agreement that requires the city to retrain or reassign workers displaced by AI rather than fire them, and a 5 November strike was put on hold. A survey by Ernst and Young found nearly 70% of state and local government agencies say they have adopted or are implementing generative AI. Unions nationwide are seeking explicit AI protections, which union leaders say could worsen working conditions and threaten jobs.