An Australian trade union has requested an immediate meeting with WiseTech Global in response to the company's plan to cut approximately 2,000 positions over a two-year restructuring program driven by artificial intelligence.
Professionals Australia, which represents workers in technology and engineering roles, said on Thursday that WiseTech must formally consult staff and the union before carrying out significant workplace changes. The union also demanded written disclosure outlining how the new AI systems will be implemented, the extent of the likely impact on jobs, and what measures will be taken to avoid or reduce redundancies.
WiseTech, based in Sydney and developer of shipping and logistics management software, announced on Wednesday that it intends to integrate AI into both its customer-facing software and internal operations. The company said the restructuring will affect about 29% of its global workforce, which numbers around 7,000 employees spread across 40 countries.
Union response and required disclosures
Professionals Australia said the scale of the AI introduction constitutes a major workplace change and that consultation must be meaningful. Paul Inglis, Director of Professionals Australia, said that transparency on the scope of job reductions is necessary and that alternatives - including redeployment and retraining - must be genuinely considered.
Company statement and workforce impact
WiseTech indicated the move would see AI incorporated across its product suite used by customers and into processes supporting internal functions. The company quantified the workforce impact as roughly 2,000 roles out of an international headcount of approximately 7,000.
Additional note on investment tools referenced
Information accompanying the announcement referenced ProPicks AI, a tool that evaluates stocks including WTC using a broad set of financial metrics and that highlights potential investment ideas. The accompanying text cited ProPicks AI examples of past winners, and noted the service assesses fundamentals, momentum, and valuation to identify opportunities.
Key points
- Professionals Australia has requested an urgent consultation with WiseTech after the company announced a two-year, AI-linked restructuring expected to eliminate about 2,000 jobs.
- WiseTech said AI integration will affect about 29% of its roughly 7,000 employees across 40 countries and will be applied to customer software and internal operations.
- The union demands written details on AI deployment, job impact, and consideration of alternatives such as redeployment and retraining; sectors affected include technology and logistics software services.
Risks and uncertainties
- Uncertainty over the final scope and timing of layoffs while consultation is pending - impacts primarily the technology and logistics software sectors.
- Dependence on whether redeployment or retraining measures will be feasible or sufficient to reduce redundancies - potential effects on employee career paths and workforce planning.
- Unclear specifics on AI deployment and operational changes remain until WiseTech provides the written details requested by the union - this creates short-term ambiguity for staff and stakeholders.