Autonomous vehicles can pose threats to consumer safety and jobs

The future of electric vehicles is on the horizon, as more companies begin developing electric and autonomous technologies. While it may seem like a positive, there can be unintended consequences that need to be weighed before going all in on the electric market.

Transport Workers Union President John Samuelson raised the alarm on electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles when he appeared on today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. He also touched on issues in the airline industry.

Electric vehicles and autonomous cars

Samuelson said the idea of a driverless car is a cool idea, but there are plenty of problems in the current market. The process has been rushed and at this early stage, there have been plenty of accidents.

Unintended consequences are plentiful when it comes to ushering in entirely new industries. Samuelson said thousands of jobs could be lost if the new technology is introduced to most consumers. Drivers and mechanics will be displaced if autonomous and electric vehicles flood the market.

Electric vehicles will require an entire workforce to either be retrained or replaced by those with the proper industry training. This also comes into play when discussing public fleets. Electrifying buses and other public transportation will call for a new workforce to be trained.

Airline issues

Samuelson shifted gears to discuss flight attendants and other airline workers who are being assaulted by passengers. These assaults have ramped up since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Frustration regarding new rules has left workers to deal with unruly passengers, sometimes ending in physical altercations.

The stresses of travel have increased with a continued federal mask mandate. As travelers become increasingly non-compliant, flight attendants and those left to enforce the order have been put in harm’s way.