Key facts
- Union security workers for OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, and Salesforce have authorized a potential strike.
- The workers, employed by staffing agencies, are seeking better pay and benefits.
- Anthropic had previously asked employees to work from home due to concerns about an imminent strike by Allied Universal.
- An unfair-labor-practice strike was officially authorized.
- The SEIU-United Service Workers West is bargaining with Allied Universal and other agencies for improved contracts.
Union security workers for the California offices of OpenAI, Anthropic, and other major tech companies have authorized a potential strike, seeking improved wages and benefits. The personnel are employed by staffing agencies including Allied Universal, Securitas, and GardaWorld.
Business Insider reported that Anthropic had previously advised employees to work from home due to anticipated strike action by Allied Universal, the security firm for its San Francisco office. On Wednesday, an unfair-labor-practice strike was officially authorized, with union officers demonstrating in San Francisco near the offices of OpenAI and Anthropic. It remains unclear if or when a strike will commence.
The SEIU-United Service Workers West, representing approximately 14,000 security workers, is engaged in negotiations with Allied Universal and other agencies for better pay, benefits, and training for staff across the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles County. Christopher Yates, an Allied Universal security officer, stated the union is asking the companies to "settle a strong contract with real raises, better training, and respect for the officers who keep these buildings safe."
Recent years have seen increased security measures at some tech firms, partly due to threats against employees. In April, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, an incident he suggested might be linked to "AI doomerism talk."