Harnessing technology: The workers' stake

Innovation has both potential benefits and possible destructive effects when viewed by the worker. This article presents some of the thinking of the AFL/CIO concerning this issue. Several methods to ease the human cost of industrial innovation are discussed. Early warning systems, income maintenance, transfers and relocation are suggested as helpful. The point is made that the best way to stimulate innovation is to make sure the economy of the nation is at full employment, with strong consumer demand and high utilization of national resources. A discussion is presented about the shift in technology caused by the expansion of the multinational corporations. This technology shift has a significant impact on our economy and should be understood better and possibly controlled. Another major point of the paper deals with safety and safety regulations as they relate to innovation and to the worker.