(File Photo: Suncor signs on deal to buy robotic trucks, signalling possible layoffs.)
Suncor is moving towards automation with the recent purchase of robotic trucks.
Now, concern is mounting over what this means for oil workers and the extended Fort McMurray economy.
Alberta Federation of Labour President Gill McGowan says he worries about the vitality of Fort McMurray.
“Suncor should proceed with caution, because if they start laying off people, they run the risk of losing social license. [Which includes] support from the public for their operations in Fort McMurray. In exchange to develop the resources, what the public gets from this is good jobs.”
McGowan illustrates without good paying oil jobs, the oil companies aren’t paying back for the privilege they’ve been given to extract.
“Keep in mind these automated trucks aren’t going to be buying meals in Fort McMurray restaurants. They’re not going to be investing in the community. This kind of direction is going to hurt the economy in the Fort McMurray area. It’s going to tear the fabric of the community.”
He goes on to cite that there are also safety concerns with the lack of an actual person behind the wheel.
“If you don’t have a real live human being driving these trucks, or the graders or the dozers, there’s quite a lot of evidence that machines are prone to failure. So, safety is a concern. Our first and foremost concern is the jobs that will be lost.”
McGowan intends on speaking with Premier Notley and other government officials about the potential layoffs. He also puts Suncor on notice that they are preparing to battle over any lost jobs.
