Labor group report urges ban on digital grocery tags citing job risks

The short version

• An AFL-CIO Tech Institute report warns that full adoption of digital price tags could affect between 44,223 and 191,633 jobs and cut $1.6bn to $6.9bn in annual wages.[The Guardian]
• The union institute is calling for an outright ban on electronic shelf labels to protect employees and shoppers.[The Guardian]
• Maryland, Connecticut, and New Jersey have enacted measures prohibiting surveillance pricing.[The Guardian]
• A May union poll indicated that 68% of Americans believe dynamic surveillance pricing will elevate grocery bills.[The Guardian]

Key facts

• The AFL-CIO Tech Institute reported that universal adoption of electronic shelf labels could impact 44,223 to 191,633 jobs and eliminate $1.6bn to $6.9bn in annual worker wages.[The Guardian]
• The policy report recommends enacting a ban on electronic grocery labels to safeguard consumers and workforce pay.[The Guardian]
• Maryland, Connecticut, and New Jersey have already enacted legislation prohibiting surveillance pricing.[The Guardian]
• According to a May poll by the United Food and Commercial Workers union, 68% of Americans think surveillance pricing leads to higher food costs.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Electronic shelf labels likely to cost jobs and drive up grocery prices, US report warnsThe Guardian - World