At CES Labor Innovation & Technology Summit, Executive Secretary-Treasurer Susie Martinez Emphasizes Importance of Labor Movement in Innovation Economy
LAS VEGAS — Today, Nevada State AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer Susie Martinez made welcome remarks to kick off the fourth annual CES Labor Innovation & Technology Summit. The summit, sponsored by AFL-CIO and AFL-CIO Technology Institute, UNITE HERE, SAG-AFTRA and American Federation of Teachers, will make working people a critical part of conversations concerning technological advancement and the innovation economy.
“The only way our economy can truly move forward is if we not only include, but prioritize workers in conversations surrounding technology and the future of our industries,” said Nevada State AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer Susie Martinez. “The labor movement has adapted to many eras of change, and it will only come out stronger on the other side of this moment of innovation. I am proud to fight every day on behalf of Nevada’s workers, and I will continue to ensure that they always have a seat at the bargaining table.”
You can read Executive Secretary-Treasurer Susie Martinez’s remarks, as prepared, below:
Good morning.
It is my honor to welcome all of you to the labor-strong, union-powered state of Nevada.
We’re here today to talk about the future—the future of technology, the future of the economy.
But let’s make one thing clear: this future wouldn’t be possible without our workforce, which has adapted time and time again to innovation and complete upheavals of our industries.
Now, we are at a pivotal moment in technological development, and we must guarantee that the workers that keep our economy moving don’t get left behind in the process.
The Nevada State AFL-CIO has always fought to ensure that workers have a seat at the bargaining table and receive the wages and benefits that they deserve, and we will continue to do so in this period of change.
We will continue to advocate for policies that lift up our workers.
We will continue to organize workers in rising industries.
We will continue to welcome new technologies—but not at the expense of our workforce.
That’s why we’re going to keep training our workers to make sure they’re prepared for this unprecedented era of advancement.
Keeping up isn’t enough. Getting ahead is the key to taking on technological change and ensuring that collective bargaining remains the bedrock of our economy.
The labor movement can adapt and accommodate, but its overarching goal remains the same: to build power within our workforce and ensure that our economy is fueled by strong unions.
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