Australian dock workers are demandingdemanding/dɪˈmændɪŋ/L2强烈要求，坚决要求asking for something in a very strong and serious way a 28-hour work week with no loss of pay. They say that AI and automationautomation/ˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃən/L2自动化the use of machines and computers to do work that people used to do are changing their jobs. The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) stated that port operator DP World is leading this push. The unionunion/ˈjuːnjən/L1工会，工人联合组织a group of workers who join together to get better pay and working conditions said: 'If DP World wants AI and automation, then they must pay the social dividend.'
DP World, which is based in Dubai, operatesoperates/ˈɒpəreɪts/L2运营，经营runs or manages a business, organization, or system several ports in Australia. The company moves millions of shipping containers each year through its ports in Sydney and Melbourne. Currently, dock workers work about 32 to 35 hours each week. The company has proposed using AI for remote-control cranes and driverless vehicles. In addition, a study said that this technology threatens up to 1,000 jobs, which is more than 60% of the workforce.
As a result, the union has called for a 28-hour work week with no loss of pay. They believe that new technology should help workers, not harm them. The company, however, says that AI is no longer optional but essentialessential/ɪˈsenʃəl/L2必不可少的，极其重要的absolutely necessary; extremely important.
