Ethics in the digital workplace
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
Manufacturer of printing presses, Koenig and Bauer, is to cut up to 460 jobs in Moedling and Ternitz, Lower Austria. This is part of a European-wide restructuring programme concerning Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic.
As announced, the unit in Ternitz will be closed down (60 job cuts). Reportedly, first cuts are starting at the beginning of 2014.
Furthermore, the management announced the transfer of the sheetfed offset press programme to the German plant of Radebeul, where it is to be concentrated. The production of banknote printing machines is to remain in Moedling.
As reported, the restructuring is due to reduced demand for printing presses in the media sector.
Unions have expressed their concern, as they worry that the downsizing would lead to the complete closure of the Austrian sites within the next years.
UPDATE, 06-02-2014:
After negotiations between management and the trade unions (who presented an alternative restructuring concept) had failed, the company's employees went on an open-ended strike on 6 February 2014.
UPDATE, 11-02-2014:
On 10 February, further negotiations between the works council and management took place. The strike was ended and a reduction of redundancies could be achieved. Instead of 460 job losses, only 385 will be implemented, starting in July 2014. The running time of the social plan was extended to five years.
Eurofound (2013), Koenig & Bauer (KBA), Internal restructuring in Austria, factsheet number 76346, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/76346.