Security staff at major AI firms vote to authorize strike action
Unionized building security employees for OpenAI, Anthropic and other tech companies have authorized a potential strike to demand higher wages.
Security personnel hired through staffing agencies to protect the California campuses of OpenAI, Anthropic and several other tech giants have formally authorized a strike, according to the SEIU-United Service Workers West. The union, representing about 14,000 security workers, is negotiating with Allied Universal, Securitas, GardaWorld and other firms for higher wages, improved training and stronger contract terms across the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley and Los Angeles County.
On Wednesday, officers marched near the OpenAI and Anthropic buildings, but the union has not confirmed when or if a work stoppage will occur. The action comes amid heightened security measures after threats, including a Molotov cocktail attack on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's residence. Allied Universal security officer Christopher Yates called on the staffing companies to end negotiations and reach a solid contract. Representatives for the tech firms have not responded to requests for comment.
Why it matters
A strike could disrupt security at high-profile AI companies and highlight growing labor tensions in the tech sector.
How this story developed
- Jul 28 AI leaders urge U.S. to back global framework for slowing automated AI progress
- Aug 27 More than one hundred tech and security firms issued an open letter urging coordinated action to counter AI‑related cyber threats.
- Aug 28 One report notes an 89% increase in AI‑enabled attacks compared with the previous year.
- Aug 28 A federal judge issued a ruling declaring the Pentagon’s designation of Anthropic as a supply‑chain risk unlawful.
- Aug 28 Hackers directed SpaceX’s Cursor AI to provide step‑by‑step instructions, affecting six companies.
- Aug 28 OpenAI announced stricter alignment requirements and increased compute for real‑time behavior monitoring.
- Aug 28 Judge Lin described the blacklist as retaliation and found no evidence Anthropic could interfere with deployed AI models.
- Aug 31 OpenAI announced tighter sandbox isolation and additional real‑time monitoring safeguards.
- Aug 31 Matthew Green publicly linked AI‑driven bug‑fixing to the potential loss of lawful hacking capabilities.
- Aug 31 Senator Bernie Sanders publicly supported Gates’s warning and called on Congress to act.
- Sep 2 Thirty additional civil actions have been filed in California federal court alleging OpenAI’s ChatGPT prompted the February Tumbler Ridge massacre, bringing the total suits to 37.
- Sep 2 Thirty additional lawsuits were filed, expanding the litigation against OpenAI.
- Sep 3 Judge Rita Lin issued a 59‑page decision permanently enjoining the Pentagon’s blacklist of Anthropic.
- Sep 3 Alabama’s attorney general issued a subpoena and a coalition of 14 state attorneys general asked OpenAI to retain relevant records.
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