Thousands of Big Tech Security Workers Strike in California
14,000 security officers have begun striking across California after contract negotiations stalled. The workers are seeking significant wage increases and better benefits from the tech companies they serve.
Thousands of security officers serving major Silicon Valley tech companies have initiated a strike across California. The 14,000 workers, represented by SEIU-United Service Workers West, walked off the job Friday morning following the collapse of contract talks with security contractors like Securitas and Allied Universal after months of negotiations.
The strike spans the entire state, with workers rallying in San Francisco and Los Angeles to demand substantial pay raises and improved benefits. The union highlights the disparity between the hourly wages of security workers and the vast resources of the tech giants they protect. While technically employed by third-party contractors, these workers provide security for companies including OpenAI, Anthropic, Salesforce, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia, Cisco, and Netflix.
Negotiations have revealed significant disagreements over compensation. The union reports that some contractors proposed a mere $0.65 hourly raise over two years. Allied Universal, the world's largest security firm, reportedly offered only a $0.25 per hour increase in 2027, with no raises for the following three years. Union officials have deemed these offers "shameful and deeply disrespectful."
An Allied Universal spokesperson stated that progress has been made and the company is committed to finding common ground. Meanwhile, the median pay for security workers in California is around $20 per hour, rising to approximately $24 in the Bay Area, figures significantly lower than the overall median wage in the region. The striking workers are aiming for a $30 hourly wage, along with affordable healthcare, expanded retirement benefits, and robust training.
The workers' strike aims to address the rising cost of living and ensure security personnel can earn a livable wage. Their role has become increasingly critical, especially as many tech firms, including OpenAI and Anthropic, have faced security threats amid growing public distrust surrounding artificial intelligence.