Tag: lawmakers
Spooked by ChatGPT, US Lawmakers Want to Create an AI Regulator
House lawmakers ask for investigation into Apple store labor practices
Apple is facing additional scrutiny over its alleged crackdown against pro-union retail workers. House Representatives Emanuel Cleaver and Sylvia Garcia have sent a letter to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) asking for an investigation into alleged labor abuses at Houston and Kansas City, Missouri stores. The politicians are concerned about claims Apple fired five Kansas City staff in retaliation for unionization efforts, and disciplined multiple Houston employees for attempting to organize.
In March, the Communications Works of America union (CWA) filed charges with the NLRB over the purported retaliation. The CWA believes Apple used thin pretexts to fire and intimidate employees, such as slightly late arrivals and even typos in timesheets. Some of the workers were reportedly forced to sign a release of claims against the company if they wanted a severance package. These practices are illegal, Cleaver and Garcia say.
The House members also pointed to the NLRB’s January finding that Apple was violating labor rights with rules barring leaks and discussions of employment conditions. The representatives are worried about a “recurring pattern,” according to the letter. In December, the board said Apple also broke the law by holding anti-union meetings in Atlanta.
We’ve asked Apple for comment. The company has previously argued that it can better care for retail staff without unions. At the same time, it has addressed concerns by raising pay, improving benefits and easing its scheduling rules.
The letter doesn’t obligate the NLRB to respond, and there’s no certainty that an investigation will lead to official action. Even so, it’s notable that Apple’s stance on retail labor has drawn Congress’ attention. It won’t be surprising if there’s more interest from the federal government, whether or not the NLRB responds to the letter.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/house-lawmakers-ask-for-investigation-into-apple-store-labor-practices-195248699.html?src=rss
Lawmakers propose banning AI from singlehandedly launching nuclear weapons
American Department of Defense policy already bans artificial intelligence from autonomously launching nuclear weapons. But amid rising fears of AI spurred by a plethora of potential threats, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has decided to make extra-double-sure it can’t.
As announced earlier this week, Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) and Representatives Ted Lieu (D-CA), Don Beyer (D-VA), and Ken Buck (R-CO) have introduced the Block Nuclear Launch by Autonomous AI Act, which would “prohibit the use of Federal funds to launch a nuclear weapon using an autonomous weapons system that is not subject to meaningful human control.” The act would codify existing Pentagon rules for nuclear weapons, which, as of 2022, read thusly:
“In all cases, the…
EU lawmakers pass draft of AI Act, includes copyright rules for generative AI
EU lawmakers eye tiered approach to regulating generative AI
EU lawmakers in the European parliament are closing in on how to tackle generative AI as they work to fix their negotiating position so that the next stage of legislative talks can kick off in the coming months. The hope then is that a final consensus on the bloc’s draft law for regulating AI can […]
EU lawmakers eye tiered approach to regulating generative AI by Natasha Lomas originally published on TechCrunch
Montana lawmakers pass TikTok ban
Massachusetts lawmakers file bill to create 4-day workweek pilot
Following a similar program in Europe, two Massachusetts lawmakers have filed a bill this week to create a two-year pilot program for a four-day workweek.
Rep. Dylan Fernandes of Falmouth and Rep. Josh Cutler of Duxbury filed the bill that would create a voluntary program allowing participating businesses to transition some or all of their employees to a four-day week without loss of pay or benefits.
The pilot program would run for two years and would be overseen by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. To participate, employers must agree to transition at least 15 workers to a shortened workweek.
Lawmakers ask Department of Justice to investigate Warner Bros. Discovery merger
Four Democratic lawmakers have written to the Department of Justice to investigate Warner Bros. Discovery and launch an inquiry into alleged anti-competitive behavior. Democratic representatives Elizabeth Warren, Pramila Jayapal, David Cicilline and Joaquin Castro wrote that the merged company has harmed workers and reduced consumer choice. Warner Bros. Discovery was formed after WarnerMedia merged with […]
Lawmakers ask Department of Justice to investigate Warner Bros. Discovery merger by Aisha Malik originally published on TechCrunch
Lawmakers Ask DOJ to Investigate “Hollowed Out” Warner Bros. Discovery
Last year, Warner Bros. was acquired by the Discovery Channel, and the resulting merger has been more than a little chaotic. Things got off to a rough start with the sudden cancellation of Batgirl, and has since spiraled into multiple shows getting canceled (some of them not even getting to air) and series getting …