Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

Automation is nothing more than a sales job for a ton of cheap programmers in India taking over operations

AI and automation talk is nonsense. Things don't work without people, and there are always jobs to do to support people. If one job is automated, another job will come up to cater to people another way. Like there is a whole industry for people sitting around playing video games that didn't exists prior to the last 30 years. All jobs aren't based on utilitarian work, else everyone would be farmers.

vjp makes some good points. AT&T is pinning its hope on 5G and content. But at some point people have to be able to afford these services. It is why people are cutting the cord and streaming. They can’t afford to pay for TV bundles they do not watch. Henry Ford had it right when he knew he had to have an affordable car and pay wages that would allow his workers to buy them. We are going the other way now. Having said that, AT&T pays livable wages and decent benefits. But like any really large business or government it is real easy to become inefficient. Outside of jobs that are becoming obsolete, we have many parts of the company that serve no real purpose and do not contribute to the bottom line. In fact, some work against getting things done. Reducing the bloat is a good thing.

Wage scale 32 (ET.DT/FT/testing Tech/plus 4 other titles) make $38.15 per hour + overtime. How much more do you need to have a "living income" Companies being forced to pay a $15 per hour minimum wage are simply hiring fewer workers and putting everyone on 35 hrs a week to avoid paying benefits.

The problem with automating everyone out of a job is that there is no one left to buy the products and services that the companies provide.

I agree. If you watch CNBC they talk about coming AI and automation. It’s coming in a big way. That’s why some democrats are proposing a government subsidy for every American citizen. A base yearly salary ,if you will, just for breathing. Really , the plan is a special tax on large corporations that would pay for it. I would normally be opposed to such welfare and I doubt the plan would work but I can understand the rationale ; the reality is corporations are not paying their fair share back to the country that helped get them their riches. Our infrastructure is crumbling. Roads and bridges in dire need of repair. Anyway, seriously , it’s sickening how much corporations pay their CEOs and execs. Just how much does one man need? It’s just unchecked greed. At&t could easily pay its workers more and its ceo a little less. It just unchecked greed. I’m all for capitalism but capitalism unchecked leads to the elimination of the middle class workforce.

.... it must be Sunday.... Preach....