Gideon du Plessis, general secretary of Solidarity, writes that it comes as no surprise that the World Economic Forum’s latest “Future of Jobs Report” indicates an increase in demand for technology skills and technology literacy, with skills focusing on AI, machine learning, software application and development, big data and network and cyber security particularly sought-after.
The changing work environment and the new challenges it presents also create demand for employees with analytical, creative, resilience and smart skills. According to Du Plessis, to be relevant, trade unions will have to adapt to the new world of work. “While SA is lagging behind compared to developed countries that are at the forefront of the wave of the fourth industrial revolution, our trade unions will have to start to make the mind shift, as they are still caught up in the era of the third industrial revolution,” he points out. “The days of trade union recruitment of members outside the gates of a workplace and of convening mass meetings of members, are gone. There has to be a shift to digital platforms and social media to communicate with members and attract new members. The trade unions of choice will be those that offer online training opportunities to their members, especially in AI and technology-related skills,” Du Plessis points out. During salary negotiations the focus will have to shift to demands related to skills development, and trade unions will need to in particular to ensure their members can acquire scarce and critical skills. Moreover, unions’ main challenge will be to retain recognition in the workplace. Whereas recognition is currently linked mainly to the percentage of employees a trade union represents, the focus will have to shift to the interests of the employees who are represented. “The trade unions that will survive are those whose own workplace and way of work make use of technology, digital platforms and AI of the new world of work,” Du Plessis argues.
- Read Gideon du Plessis’ thought-provoking analysis in full at BusinessLive
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