If automation is guaranteed to happen below the retirement rate, then you’re still going to be hiring new, possibly interim, drivers to cover the deficit betwee

If automation is guaranteed to happen below the retirement rate, then you’re still going to be hiring new, possibly interim, drivers to cover the deficit between retirees and automation. I’d expect the union to be concerned with the career prospects of those not-yet-hired drivers in addition to their current members. Even if the plan theoretically matches up perfectly, reality isn’t so neat and tidy. People decide to retire early or logistical problems prevent the automation from coming online on schedule. Any competent union should be negotiating for a more nuanced transition plan, at least, that accounts for the effects of potential over- or under-staffing scenarios on the workers.