UK civil service trade union sets out demands for use of AI in government
A UK civil service trade union has set out seven elements for negotiation with government as part of “substantive national‑level discussions” on how artificial intelligence should be used in government.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union highlighted that AI is being introduced into a range of civil service functions, and has written to the Cabinet Office calling on it to negotiate on the ground rules for its use.
PCS assistant general secretary John Moloney wrote to Simon Claydon, Cabinet Office director of civil service pay, policy and pensions, proposing talks on a “constructive, practical framework to ensure that AI and robotics are introduced in a way that protects staff, supports good work, and ensures that technology delivers genuine public value”.
The union said that a framework would help align the shared interests of both employers and employees: to make sure AI improves work, maintains fairness, and avoids decisions that could adversely affect staff or citizens.
PCS set out a basis for discussions covering seven areas:
- Union consultation and approval
- Restrictions on AI use
- Job protection
- Mandatory information before rollout
- Training and career development
- Sharing productivity gains
- Ongoing oversight
This is the second time that the union has called for talks with the Cabinet Office, having initally launched a campaign for legislation “that protects unions, jobs and workers’ rights in the face of artificial intelligence” in July 2024.
Call for consultation on deploying AI in government
In its latest call for talks with the Cabinet Office, PCS proposes that no AI or robotics system be introduced or redesigned without early consultation and agreement with unions, and that all existing systems must be disclosed.
The union also calls for regulations to ensure AI “cannot make decisions affecting staff, automate decision‑making, supervise or monitor workers, or generate reports without human oversight”. PCS said the government should also agree that AI must not impersonate a human.
On job protection, PCS said there should be “no job losses, redundancies, or downgrades as a result of AI”, and that the focus should be on using AI to improve work.
PCS also calls for an agreement on what mandatory information should be provided before AI projects are rolled out. In particular, it proposes that departments provide unions with: equality and privacy assessments; a job impact assessment; redeployment and training plans; a health and safety assessment; and an industrial relations plan, including a stop‑action clause to pause deployment and advance sight of communications to staff.
On training and career development, PCS calls for a commitment to a framework for reskilling and upskilling staff as AI changes roles, and a commitment to sharing productivity gains that can show how deploying AI should translate into improved pay and/or reduced working hours, including potentially moving towards a four‑day week.
The union calls for ongoing oversight to include regular reviews of AI systems, and for no changes to be made to existing agreements without union consent.
PCS asked for a meeting with the Cabinet Office at the earliest opportunity to discuss the agreement and to establish the process for developing a national‑level engagement.
“We see this as an opportunity for the civil service to demonstrate leadership and to put in place sensible, ethical, and transparent safeguards at a time when many organisations are grappling with the same challenges,” the union said in a statement.
Responding to the call from PCS, a Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “AI offers huge opportunities for Britain’s economic growth, and we should absolutely ensure the civil service has the skills it needs for the modern age as we build a productive and agile state. The new National School of Government and Public Services will drive skills training for the civil service workforce, including for AI use.
“AI is already being used to save time on administrative tasks, freeing up civil servants to boost their impact on what matters most: delivering better public services for the British people.”
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