FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 23, 2026
Contact: Leah Leszczynski, lleszczynski@miaflcio.org, 989.316.6044
Labor and allies point to negative impacts of AI already affecting Michigan and need for further action
LANSING, MI — Today, Michigan’s labor movement and its allies launched a statewide campaign to place guardrails on artificial intelligence, starting with the introduction of the RAISE Act. The RAISE Act is a first step toward ensuring that AI is not weaponized against workers in Michigan: creating AI standards while limiting how employers can monitor their workers or use AI to set wages.
“Let’s be clear: unaccountable artificial intelligence is one of the greatest threats the working class faces — and Michigan’s labor movement is responding accordingly. Without strong guardrails, AI will put tens of millions of jobs at risk, worsen inequality, and cause catastrophic damage in workplaces. We need guardrails on AI now,” said Ron BIEBER, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “We need comprehensive state and federal guardrails if we are going to make AI work for workers, and not billionaires. I commend Representative Tsernoglou on her sponsorship of this legislation and urge lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to see to its passage. Passing the RAISE Act into law is a necessary first step — but it must be one of many.”
The RAISE Act takes several important steps to make sure AI is not weaponized against workers. These include:
- Forming guardrails for the use of AI to monitor workers
- Creating standards for employers who choose to use AI
- Prohibiting the use of AI to set wages
“The unfortunate reality is that artificial intelligence is already being used to surveil, intimidate, and steal wages from Michigan workers. That is unacceptable,” said Representative Penelope TSERNOGLOU (D-East Lansing). “The RAISE Act will provide critical guardrails on the use of AI in these areas. I thank my friends in labor for their support in the legislation’s development and look forward to moving it through the legislature.”
“AI has immense power. Whether that power is used to harm or help workers is up to us,” said CWA District 4 Vice President Linda L. HINTON. “CWA is committed to putting guardrails on AI so that the benefits of technological progress go to everyday Americans, not Big Tech billionaires.”
“Nurses are constantly asked to do more with less. Now, instead of providing better patient ratios, benefits, or pay, hospital administrators are looking to use AI to track and surveil us. Nurses need real support, not technology that harasses us,” said Jeff BRESLIN, RN, president of the Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital (PECSH)-Michigan Nurses Association. “The RAISE Act would help nurses focus on providing the best care possible for our patients — we applaud this legislation and call for its passage.”
“AI is already being used to the detriment of Michigan workers and the benefit of billionaires,” said Ryan SEBOLT, director of government affairs of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “The Michigan AFL-CIO has been preparing for this fight. We need laws on the books to win it.”
Video of the press conference is available upon request.
###
