ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A local union is calling on consumers to fight against the trend of businesses replacing human jobs with automation.
The days of interacting with your local cashier may be drawing to a close, as United Food and Commerical Workers Union Local 655 President David Cook says it's all self-checkout now at the Walmart in Shrewsbury, but this is only the beginning.
"This automation and elimination of jobs today is going to effect all of society," Cook says. "They're talking about automated truck drivers – you're not going to have any more truck drivers. There are machines out there now that are starting to do human surgeries."
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Cook says consumers need to take a stand because there are no discounts, only more profits for the company.
"The way to do that, in this case, is to not go through a self-checkout. Insist on having a human check you out," Cook says. "And thank that person for the job that they do."
He estimates there are tens of thousands of people working as cashiers in the St. Louis area who are at risk of losing their jobs.
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