Office security workers for OpenAI, Anthropic, and other tech firms authorize a strike
Security workers for major tech firms including OpenAI and Anthropic have authorized a strike to demand better wages and benefits. Companies have responded by tightening security and advising some staff to work from home amid ongoing labor negotiations.
Why it matters
The strike highlights labor tensions in the tech sector and the reliance of high-profile AI companies on outsourced service staff.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Union security workers for the offices of some of Silicon Valley's biggest tech companies have authorized a strike. The union, which represents around 14,000 workers, said it is negotiating for better wages and benefits. Anthropic recently told staff to work from home in light of a possible security team strike. Union security workers for the California buildings of OpenAI, Anthropic, and other tech companies announced on Wednesday that they had authorized a strike. The security personnel, who are seeking better pay, are employed by staffing agencies that provide building security for OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, and Salesforce, the SEIU-United Service Workers West said. Business Insider previously reported that Anthropic asked employees to work from home last week, as the company believed there could be an imminent strike by Allied Universal, the security staffing firm for its San Francisco office.
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