Politics

Michigan labour movement launches campaign to establish AI guardrails amid rising worker concerns

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 6:30AM UTC

Michigan’s organised labour has introduced the RAISE Act, aiming to curb employer use of AI in the workplace, focusing on surveillance, wage determination, and worker protections amid rising automation concerns.

Michigan’s organised labour movement this week unveiled a coordinated push to curb employer uses of artificial intelligence, unveiling the RAISE Act as the opening measure in a broader campaign to protect workers across the state. According to the announcement by the Michigan AFL-CIO and allied unions, the bill would set limits on workplace surveillance, require standards for employer AI systems and bar the use of machine-driven tools to determine wages.

The campaign, launched in Lansing on February 23, 2026, brought together union leaders and regional lawmakers who argued that AI is already being deployed in ways that harm employees. Representative Penelope Tsernoglou framed the legislation as a direct response to what she described as invasive monitoring and wage-related harms, saying the bill will provide “critical guardrails on the use of AI in these areas.”

Ron BIEBER, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO, warned of sweeping economic and social consequences if AI goes unchecked, calling for both state and federal action. “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,” he said, urging lawmakers to back the RAISE Act as the first of multiple measures.

Labour advocates emphasised immediate workplace concerns, citing examples of monitoring that they say include tracking breaks and analysing facial expressions. Nurses spoke of administrators turning to surveillance technology instead of addressing staffing and pay, with union officials saying RAISE would help refocus efforts on patient care rather than intrusive analytics. The unions framed the measure as complementary to other state efforts to prepare workers for an AI-driven economy.

The proposal arrives amid a wider state conversation about AI policy and labour law. Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity published an AI and the Workforce Plan in 2025 that forecasts substantial economic gains and job creation if training and infrastructure are modernised, while earlier legislative activity has produced separate AI safety bills and court rulings that last year affected minimum wage and paid-leave rules, signalling a complex policy backdrop for any new workplace protections.

Union leaders said the RAISE Act is intended as a starting point rather than a final solution, and urged continued legislative work to ensure technological change raises standards rather than erodes them. “AI has immense power. Whether that power is used to harm or help workers is up to us,” CWA District 4 Vice President Linda L. HINTON told the press conference, while other union representatives pledged to keep pressing for statutory safeguards and enforcement.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://miaflcio.org/michigans-labor-movement-launches-campaign-to-put-guardrails-on-ai/ - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://miaflcio.org/michigans-labor-movement-launches-campaign-to-put-guardrails-on-ai/ - On February 23, 2026, Michigan's labour movement and its allies initiated a statewide campaign to establish safeguards on artificial intelligence (AI), beginning with the introduction of the RAISE Act. The act aims to prevent the misuse of AI against workers by setting standards for its use, limiting employer surveillance, and prohibiting AI-driven wage setting. Ron Bieber, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO, emphasised the need for comprehensive state and federal regulations to ensure AI benefits workers rather than billionaires. Representative Penelope Tsernoglou highlighted the bill's role in protecting workers from AI-enabled surveillance and wage theft.
https://michiganadvance.com/2026/02/23/lansing-area-lawmakers-joins-with-labor-unions-in-proposing-guardrails-on-ai-and-employee-monitoring/ - On February 23, 2026, Lansing-area lawmakers, including Representative Penelope Tsernoglou, collaborated with labour unions to propose regulations for AI in the workplace. The proposed House Bill 5579 seeks to establish firm guardrails protecting workers from employee monitoring and workplace surveillance software. The bill aims to prevent employers from using AI for invasive surveillance techniques and requires disclosure and consent from employees being monitored. Tsernoglou emphasised the immediate impact of such legislation on employees across the state.
https://www.michigan.gov/leo/news/2025/05/29/ai-and-the-workforce-plan-will-create-jobs-invest-in-workforce-and-enhance-economic-growth - In May 2025, Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) released the AI and the Workforce Plan, aiming to leverage artificial intelligence for economic growth. The plan projects up to $70 billion in economic impact and the creation of 130,000 good-paying jobs over the next 5 to 10 years. It focuses on investing in skill development, understanding the workforce landscape, and enabling businesses to adapt to the AI economy. LEO Director Susan Corbin highlighted the importance of modernising training infrastructure to fuel growth and create a resilient economy.
https://www.clarkhill.com/news-events/news/michigan-legislatures-adopt-and-amend-strategy-struck-down-employers-must-prepare-for-higher-minimum-wage-and-expanded-paid-leave-in-2025/ - In August 2024, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the Legislature's 'adopt-and-amend' strategy, used to delay minimum wage and paid sick time initiatives, was unconstitutional. This decision reinstated the original versions of the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act (IWOWA) and the Michigan Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA), effective February 21, 2025. The ruling led to scheduled increases in the minimum wage and expanded paid leave requirements, impacting all employers in Michigan. Industry groups have indicated intentions to work with the Legislature to amend these statutes before they go into effect.
https://www.transparencycoalition.ai/news/michigan-lawmaker-introduces-ai-misuse-and-critical-harm-measures-in-lansing - In July 2025, Michigan State Representative Sarah Lightner introduced two AI-related bills: HB 4667, the AI crime bill, and HB 4668, the Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Transparency Act. HB 4668 mandates that large developers of AI models implement safety and security protocols to manage critical risks associated with AI deployment. The bill aims to enhance oversight and accountability within the rapidly evolving AI sector, ensuring that AI technologies are developed and used responsibly.
https://www.wilx.com/2026/02/23/michigan-labor-groups-push-ai-worker-protections/ - On February 23, 2026, leaders of Michigan's labour movement, including the Michigan AFL-CIO, gathered in Lansing to advocate for legislation protecting workers from AI-enabled surveillance, harassment, and wage theft. The proposed RAISE Act (Responsible AI Security Employees Act) seeks to establish safeguards on AI technology in the workplace. Representative Penelope Tsernoglou highlighted concerns over invasive surveillance techniques used by employers, such as monitoring bathroom breaks and facial expressions, and emphasised the need for legislative action to protect workers' rights.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The article reports on a campaign launched on February 23, 2026, by Michigan's organised labour movement to curb employer uses of artificial intelligence, introducing the RAISE Act. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/leo/news/2025/05/01/statewide-infrastructure-workforce-plan-will-train-5000-new-infrastructure-workers-by-january-2030?utm_source=openai)) The earliest known publication date of similar content is February 23, 2026, indicating the news is fresh. However, the campaign's announcement is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/leo/news/2025/05/01/statewide-infrastructure-workforce-plan-will-train-5000-new-infrastructure-workers-by-january-2030?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The article includes direct quotes from Representative Penelope Tsernoglou and Ron BIEBER, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO. Searches for these quotes did not yield earlier appearances, suggesting they are original. However, without independent verification, the authenticity of these quotes cannot be fully confirmed.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The primary source is a press release from the Michigan AFL-CIO, which is a reputable organisation within its niche. However, as a press release, it may present a biased perspective. The article also references other sources, including WILX and Michigan Advance, which are local news outlets. While these sources are generally reliable, their independence from the Michigan AFL-CIO is not fully clear, potentially affecting the overall reliability of the information.

Plausibility check

Score: 7

Notes: The article discusses the RAISE Act, a legislative proposal aiming to regulate AI usage in the workplace, introduced by Michigan's labour movement. This aligns with ongoing discussions about AI's impact on employment and workplace surveillance. However, the lack of coverage by other reputable outlets raises questions about the newsworthiness and impact of the proposal.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The article reports on a recent campaign by Michigan's organised labour movement to introduce the RAISE Act, aiming to regulate AI usage in the workplace. While the news is fresh and the content type is appropriate, the heavy reliance on a press release from the Michigan AFL-CIO raises concerns about source independence and potential bias. Additionally, the lack of coverage by other reputable outlets and the inability to fully verify the quotes contribute to a medium level of confidence in the article's reliability.

AI regulation
labour rights
workplace surveillance