@AndrewRadev This is NOT a new thing... similar has happened before. Look for clues to figure out how things worked out then, and may work out now. Don't give up - adjust.
Well the most important thing (in my experience) is to find like-minded people inside the workplace. In the company i work for, management has basically engaged psychological warfare against the employees with messaging such as "if we don't use AI the company goes bust and everyone loses their job, but if we use AI, half of us will get to keep our jobs". This has put insane pressure on the majority of people, because they do not see the gains the company says are possible.
Many of my colleagues know that AI cannot replace our jobs. However, it is hard to openly express that in such a climate. As such, it is important to find other people to support each other and also highlight all the things AI cannot do, because our bosses are literally salivating at the prospect of being able to fire people with any excuse (a few years ago they fired half a department and had to promptly re-hire them after a few months).
This makes it easier to organise collective action in the future and bring matters up with the union. In addition, we can be a counterweight to the colleagues who try to impress the bosses with bold claims and statements.
Finally, it is important to remember that every struggle that was fought, seemed impossible at the time. When striking workers or black people were being shot by the police fighting for their rights, they knew their chances of success were slim. And for the successes we have there were many, many failures that ended with massacres. But they still fought. If we don't even fight, we have already lost.
@teoman @AndrewRadev I publish a lot of material. It's all free- open source. There may be something in the 800+ pages that you and your colleagues find interesting. The best entry point is here:
I wish you and your 'friends' great success.