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Stop the Use of Biased AI in HiringđĽ Why This Is So Important The job market is not a level playing field â especially for people who are marginalized by race, gender identity, sexuality, class, disability, age, or nontraditional work history. What makes this worse is that companies are now hiding behind artificial intelligence and algorithmic screening tools to excuse or even automate that bias. When youâre job hunting and keep getting ghosted, rejected instantly, or filtered out before a human even looks at your name â thatâs not just frustrating. Itâs dehumanizing. And itâs by design. â ď¸ The Truth About AI in Hiring Companies are increasingly using tools like: ⢠AI resume screeners ⢠Chatbot interviews ⢠Voice and video emotion analysis ⢠Cultural fit prediction software ⢠Automated reference checkers ⢠AI-written rejection emails These tools are marketed as âefficientâ and âunbiased.â But the reality? đ AI replicates the exact same patterns of discrimination we see in human systems â only faster, at greater scale, and without accountability. Hereâs whatâs really happening: đ 1. Black box screening = no transparency You can apply to hundreds of jobs and never know why you were rejected â because the algorithm decided youâre ânot a fit.â Thereâs no feedback, no appeal, and no clarity. Itâs a digital wall. đ§Ź 2. AI learns bias from past discrimination If a company historically hires mostly white men from Ivy League schools, guess what the AI is trained to look for? More of them. It flags ânontraditionalâ resumes, gaps in employment, different-sounding names, or people who donât follow conventional career paths. Even if youâre brilliant â the algorithm canât see that. It can only see what has already been rewarded. đś 3. Companies can dodge accountability HR departments can claim: âIt wasnât us, it was the algorithm.â But theyâre the ones buying, implementing, and feeding data to these tools. Using AI doesnât eliminate bias â it just gives companies plausible deniability while quietly maintaining the status quo. đ 4. Human expertise is being replaced with automation Instead of trained recruiters who understand context, empathy, and potential â job applicants are being filtered by machine logic that canât recognize growth, grit, or nuance. People become data points, not individuals. đ§Ş 5. People are being experimented on without consent Many AI tools havenât been tested rigorously or ethically. Applicants arenât told theyâre being scored on their facial expressions, tone of voice, or social media presence. Thatâs surveillance â not recruitment. 𧨠6. Marginalized people get hit hardest If youâre: ⢠Black or Brown ⢠Trans or gender nonconforming ⢠Neurodivergent ⢠Disabled (especially if your voice or mannerisms donât conform) ⢠Low-income or have job gaps  Youâre way more likely to be flagged, filtered out, or erased. Thatâs not innovation â itâs discrimination dressed up as tech. đ§ This Is Bigger Than Jobs â Itâs About Power AI is being used to systematically erase people from opportunity â and because the process is invisible, itâs hard to fight back This campaign is about forcing transparency. Itâs about putting real human beings back at the center of the hiring process. And itâs about demanding justice in the systems that claim to offer opportunity. Youâre not just âcomplaining.â Youâre doing what so many canât â calling it out by name.2 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Alvina Ahmed
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Protect New York City Sick Leave Laws (ESSTA)If you live in New York City, you earn a little bit of sick leave every day you work. Itâs part of the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA), a law that protects all of us. Those protections are being attacked by the top anti-worker law firm in the world, JacksonLewis, the guys who hold the secret meetings and literally wrote the book on union busting. Under the previous system, corporations had a pretty easy time avoiding accountability. Starbucks workers waited 3 years for their rights to be enforced, Amazon workers 4, and a JetBlue employee waited 8 years to be reinstated. Our rights disappeared the moment employers chose to violate them. That changed last year. In 2024, the New York City Council passed Local Law 22, creating a dual enforcement model, administrative and judicial, designed to protect workers from prolonged job loss and economic hardship. This means that when an employer breaks the law workers can go to court themselves and ask a judge to enforce their rights. Itâs not about big payouts. Itâs about getting your job back in days or weeks instead of months or years, stopping retaliation, and showing other workers itâs safe to stand up. There are two ways courts can quickly stop violations and reinstate workers who have been retaliated againstâa temporary restraining order (TRO) and a preliminary injunction. These tools can stop employers from continuing to break the law. Without them New Yorkers can plan for their right of action to take 32 months to reach a verdict, possibly three years by the time judgment is enforced. Hannah Lopez is a restaurant worker in New York City. Sheâs worked at Tao Group restaurants for 10 years. She cares about her coworkers and has done everything from picking up shifts for coworkersâ emergencies to securing legal help for a coworker taken from her restaurant by bounty hunters working for ICE. Months ago, she was fired after helping her coworkers exercise their sick leave rights. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protections (DCWP) issued four different charges against the company. Though they have continued to try, the company simply refuses reinstatement. Because they are getting away with it, the message to workers is clear, âexercise your rights and youâll be firedâ. To fight back, Hannah has moved to the courts. After filing for a temporary restraining order (TRO) and a preliminary injunction to end retaliation, to be returned to work, and end current violations against her and her coworkers at the restaurant, the judge said that she had âa very strong caseââbut denied the request. And thereâs the problem: If courts donât have the ability to enforce ESSTA, to stop current violations and prevent future ones, we could be right back to waiting months or years for justice. And companies will know they can go back to violating ESSTA. The outcome of this case could determine the nature of everyone's access to our Earned Safe and Sick Time rights. We have two possible solutions: 1. Brandworkers and allies are organizing a Letter of Legislative Intent. We believe the councilâs intention was to create a law that ensures New York Cityâs workers can use sick leave without being fired and this is how we can help them make it clear to the court and to all of us. We have until June 20th at 5:00pm.š 2. If city councilâs support doesnât materialize, ²weâll keep organizingâpushing the council to ensure ESSTA enforcement is real, timely, and protects workers before theyâve lost everything. If Hannah wins, the court can affirm that the private right of action is created to enforce the provisions of the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act; to stop violations as they happen, instead of allowing workers to be harmed until the final closing of their case. If she loses, the court may signal that corporations can violate the law, ignore city enforcement, and run out the clock while workers lose everything. Hannah is a âpro seâ litigant. That means she is by herself and has been for months. She has made it so far but the next steps are critical and she needs our help. This is about more than one workerâitâs about whether the law actually protects all of us. Hereâs how you can help: 1. Sign and Share this petition . If you work for a living and have never fought for your rights. We will show you how. 2. Donate - If youâve ever been able to take sick leave, support the workers fighting for it. Stand with Hannah. Defend our rights. Protect NYCâs sick leave law. Contact us at: [email protected] See the growing list of organizations already standing with NYC workers. ---------------------------------------------- š We will release the Letter of Legislative Intent as soon as we receive final confirmation from our early champions. Some City Council members have already requested a draft, which weâve shared with them. The letter is still in the drafting phase. ² A Better Balance and the National Employment Law Project (two of the leading organizations behind Local Law 22 and sick leave legislation across the country) are working with Brandworkers and our campaign to help craft an additional appeal to the city council. * Weâll be hosting Zoom calls for petition signers to share what weâve learned about the history of ESSTA and its role in the ongoing struggle for workersâ rights in New York City. These sessions are a chance to deepen our understanding, build strategy together, and stay connected in the fight. * Our campaignâs ultimate goal is to ensure ESSTA enforcement happens on a timeline that makes these rights real for workers. There may be multiple paths to get there. If we find it necessary to revise this petition, adjust our strategy, or shift course entirely, we will make changes transparently and notify all signers. United we bargain. Divided we beg.201 of 300 SignaturesCreated by Protect ESSTA
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We Are More Than Secondary Staff, and We Deserve More For ItThe ultimate goal of PSH-LMC employees is to convert to an Employee Ownership model, either as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), or more greatly a Workers Cooperative. El objetivo final de los empleados de PSH-LMC es convertirse en un modelo de propiedad de los empleados, ya sea como un plan de propiedad de acciones de los empleados (ESOP), un fideicomiso de propiedad de los empleados (EOT) o, en mayor medida, una cooperativa de trabajadores. In order to achieve this ultimate goal, it is necessary to unionize not only ourselves, but the Nurses as well. When all staff have advocacy and can negotiate the purchasing of the Hospital, we can remove the poor leadership and create a workplace for us, by us. With dedication and steadfastness we can not only make our work lives beneficial, but our lives in general will see betterment. This is not only our right, but our duty to make this place better for everyone. Para lograr este objetivo final, es necesario sindicalizarnos no sĂłlo nosotros, sino tambiĂŠn las Enfermeras. Cuando todo el personal tenga defensa y pueda negociar la compra del Hospital, podremos eliminar la mala direcciĂłn y crear un lugar de trabajo para nosotros, por nosotros. Con dedicaciĂłn y constancia no sĂłlo podremos hacer que nuestra vida laboral sea beneficiosa, sino que nuestra vida en general tambiĂŠn mejorarĂĄ. No es sĂłlo nuestro derecho, sino nuestro deber hacer que este lugar sea mejor para todos. Through unity and strength we can make our lives better. Mediante la unidad y la fuerza podemos mejorar nuestras vidas.3,087 of 4,000 SignaturesCreated by Liam McShea
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Demand UChicago HR keep their word and rehire Ishaan Anavkar without delay!Faculty and students at UChicago and around the country understand the importance to their research and scholarship of the second-to-none South Asia holdings at UChicago library being properly classified. Those who have worked closely with Ishaan hold his work in the highest regard, and attest that he possesses the highly specialized skills and dedication worthy of this world-class collection.2,312 of 3,000 SignaturesCreated by Jason Grunebaum
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Protect Ishaan Anavkar's job at the UChicago LibraryIshaan Anavkar is in a tough spot. He is currently waiting for a renewed work authorization card from the federal government, and has requested a few weeks of unpaid leave to receive and furnish the card so he can return to work. He has already been through several stressful months of back-and-forth with UChicago Library HR, who have refused to sponsor his position. He has secured letters of support from UChicago faculty and the Library of Congress, tried to correct his positionâs misclassification, filed an Unfair Labor Practice with the National Labor Relations Board, and sought temporary protected status in order to remain working. Multiple members of the Library have unsuccessfully proposed new positions that he could fill in order to remain working. He has now been informed that his last day of work will be Friday, August 2. If his position is terminated while he is still waiting for a renewed work authorization card, he will be required to leave the country in a month. Ishaan is vital to processing the thousands of South Asian books currently in the library backlog and unavailable to library patrons, along with providing other copy cataloging services. If terminated, it is not clear when or if his position will be filled, and how these materials will be processed. Terminating his position, instead of granting this unpaid leave until his work authorization card arrives, will only exacerbate the severe understaffing problems in the UChicago Library.Â862 of 1,000 SignaturesCreated by Jeremy Poe
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SUPPORT TACOMA MACY'S WORKERS!Macy's in Tacoma has been a long standing institution that employs many. We have recently found out that our store may be closing in the near future. Over 100 Macyâs workers at the Tacoma Mall location including the Furniture Gallery have been bargaining for a fair contract since January. Please support us as we attempt to bargain for dignity and respect during this difficult time.2,551 of 3,000 SignaturesCreated by Macy's Workers 4 Power
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Natural Grocers: Uphold Your Commitments to Crew and Community!We believe that these firings and targeting of employees, the affects these have on the wider community, and the steps Natural Grocers has taken to impede the rights of their workers to organize are in violation of the companyâs proclaimed commitments to crew and community. Community is formed through relationships. Customers and crew have formed meaningful relationships over the years and those relationships can better inform company policies to better serve customers. This is a COMMUNITY CALL to UPHOLD Margaret Isleyâs five founding principles (see more here: https://www.naturalgrocers.com/our-five-founding-principles) by respecting workersâ rights or organize and embracing the desired feedback structure of workers. We understand that COMMITMENTS require ACCOUNTABILITY, and evidence has shown us that the path to that accountability is a union for Natural Grocers workers. We do believe that the founders of Natural Grocers and the current leadership do genuinely care. We do believe that, unlike a company like Amazon, Natural Grocers could take the feedback of this petition and address our concerns. We hope they will not disappoint us. Community Member Testimony âThe warmth and genuine conversations that I have with all of the crew is why I love shopping there, and I want them to feel just as comfortable and supported. It is really distressing to me that a store that I love, value, and respect is causing its employees to feel unsafe about asking for better working conditions, pay, and benefits. I hope that through incorporating the feedback of their employees, Natural Grocers can become an even healthier environment holistically because they value everyone who keeps the store flourishing.â Crew Member Testimony âI have been an employee at the Natural Grocers in Norman, Oklahoma, store #48, for over 8 years. I work very hard to connect intentionally with each customer I encounter and to find them what they need. I have brilliant and kind coworkers and former coworkers whom I have witnessed do the same. I have seen our store act as a community center in many ways. Whenever I go out in Norman, I almost always run into one of my regular customers and they greet me. I have watched children grow up in our store. My apron is filled with buttons and pins, many of them gifts from customers and others in my community. To this day, this is my favorite job I have ever had. But I am sad to say that the company and my little store are rapidly changing, and not for the better. I want a union because I do care deeply for my coworkers, my store, my community, and the future of the company. I believe that a union would provide a more accessible feedback and representation system for workers and that this would enable the company to better uphold their principals and goals.â4,316 of 5,000 SignaturesCreated by NG Community United
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Rehire Illegally Fired Union ActivistsFlight Attendants at SkyWest have been organizing a union in the face of serious interference from management, and Shane and Tresa are leaders on the campaign. The Railway Labor Act prohibits interference, influence, or coercion by management over the flight attendantsâ choice of representative. And it is unlawful for management to retaliate against any worker engaging in concerted activity over issues of mutual concern. But enforcement rests with the federal courts and management may hope it can get away with their illegal actions long enough to stop Flight Attendants from organizing and gaining the right to collectively bargain. All this does is give a bad name to the carriers who contract with SkyWest - Alaska, United, American, and Delta. Even the notorious union busting at Delta has never so blatantly crossed the legal line for firing activists or forming an illegal company union. And make no mistake, in uncovering a serious security flaw in the company-sponsored voting system used by the company union, Shane and Tresa heroically stood up for what was right to alert their coworkers to the issue while demonstrating how easily votes can be manipulated. SkyWest is using their whistleblowing as pretext to fire these two prominent leaders on the union drive. But the company shouldnât be involved in âunion votingâ at all. Sign our petition to demand that SkyWest immediately rehire Shane and Tresa. This union busting demonstrates why Flight Attendants at SkyWest are organizing. Stand with Flight Attendants and demand justice for Shane and Tresa.6,806 of 7,000 SignaturesCreated by SkyWest AFA
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Justice for Insomnia Cookies WorkersIt is unfair for employers to flagrantly ignore labor laws and best practices, at the expense of workers who just want to support their families. Even if you don't work at Insomnia Cookies, you're still vulnerable to this kind of abuse in the workplace. If we stand in solidarity we can show all of our bosses how strong we are together. Please consider signing in support of our demands2,410 of 3,000 SignaturesCreated by Anonymous Activist
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Support Mom's Siam WorkersThe workers of Mom's are striving to create a better work environment but have been summarily ignored by the owners. Our staff has created a letter and has been attempting to organize a meeting, but attempts have been stonewalled from ownership. We are asking for your support for a good-faith meeting between ourselves and Sukanya, where we can bring our issues to the table.4,128 of 5,000 SignaturesCreated by Workers Siam
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Protect independent contractors advertising on Thumbtack from Unfair DeactivationsSomeone with 4 1/2 to 5 star reviews with impeccable customer reviews that has been on the site for many years. Should not face deactivation out of the blue for a lone client complaint/issue.6 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Jenny G.
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Cardinal Health Workers Deserve RaisesWe love what we do and want Cardinal Health to practice what they preach since they create an image promoting accountability, essential to care, integrity, inclusive, and innovation. We are essential to care and it's essential that Cardinal Health employees to be cared for. Our company has more than enough income to take care of their employees. Cardinal Health currently is facing an Opioid Settlement agreement of 6 billion dollars, 13 million dollars to resolve allegations of kickbacks to physicians and still have the audacity to hold a townhall meeting with Deland, Florida employees on Wednesday March 1 of 2023 informing us we have a $4 billion + budget of investing in our facility but we will not be getting any raises this year. There's Cardinal Health locations that have sign on bonuses, higher pay for less job duties and we still get the shorter end of the stick for working more. We are essential to care and it's time for Cardinal Health to make it a priority to keep their employees happy and remind everyone in the company that our work is not being taken for granted due to greed and that we are all essential to care. Join us in calling Cardinal Health to invest more into their employees and ensure workers they have the respect and dignity we deserve at our workplace. Thank you for speaking out!5 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Cardinal Employee