The War on Waymo: Autonomous Vehicles Face Mounting Opposition from Labor Unions and Public Sentiment

Autonomous vehicle (AV) companies like Waymo are encountering significant resistance from labor unions, particularly the Teamsters, and a skeptical public, despite AVs' proven safety benefits. This opposition, exemplified by New York City's decision to let Waymo's testing permit expire, highlights a growing conflict between technological advancement and job displacement concerns. The article argues that while technology ultimately prevails, a more effective strategy for labor would be to negotiate for worker protections rather than attempting to block innovation entirely.