{"id":465381,"date":"2026-09-16T08:06:19","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T08:06:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/465381\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T08:06:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T08:06:19","slug":"silicon-valley-ai-giants-face-security-guard-strike-amid-rising-threats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/465381\/","title":{"rendered":"Silicon Valley AI giants face security guard strike amid rising threats"},"content":{"rendered":"

Security guards working for major AI companies in the Bay Area announced plans to strike in the face of growing threats against the tech giants<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Officers at companies including Anthropic<\/a>, Microsoft, OpenAI, Google and Amazon are planning to strike Friday over a contract dispute involving wages, potentially forcing some tech offices to close.<\/p>\n

SEIU-United Services Workers West<\/a>, the union representing about 14,000 security officers in California, submitted plans for a strike beginning after 4:30 a.m., Business Insider reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Demonstrators participate in the \u201cStop the AI Race\u201d protest march in San Francisco, California, on Saturday, July 11, 2026. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The dispute centers on proposed raises that the union says \u201cdoesn\u2019t address the cost of living crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter months of bargaining, several multi-billion dollar security companies like Allied Universal, Securitas, GardaWorld, Prosegur, and Inter-Con, offered workers a mere 65 cent raise over the next two years,\u201d the union said in a statement to KRON<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, security workers rallied in downtown San Francisco to highlight what they described as a widening wealth gap between the guards protecting tech executives and the workers inside the companies they guard.<\/p>\n

The Anthropic headquarters is seen on Monday, September 14, 2026, in San Francisco, California. Bloomberg via Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cProtect the rich, while we get poor? Hell no, we won\u2019t take it no more, hell no, we won\u2019t take it no more!\u201d SEIU members chanted, according to KRON.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere I am standing here watching this, being paid pennies. Pennies. And that hurts. You know, in my heart\u2019s feeling bad about this man. Now, how can that be fair?\u201d Allied Universal security guard Jerry LaGuardia added.<\/p>\n

If the strike happens, some companies could be forced to close their doors and have employees work remotely.<\/p>\n

The headquarters of artificial intelligence company OpenAI is seen in San Francisco, California, on Sept. 9, 2026. Gado via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Anthropic warned employees last month that it was preparing for remote work after hearing from its security firm about potential staffing problems tied to the strike, Business Insider reported.<\/p>\n

A union representative told the outlet that negotiations with the security companies were scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, meaning the walkout is not yet guaranteed.<\/p>\n

The looming strike comes as AI companies face growing security concerns and a backlash over the rapidly expanding technology.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, a man reportedly slipped into Anthropic\u2019s San Francisco headquarters to deliver a chilling warning that a top executive was \u201cgoing to be killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Demonstrators participate in the \u201cStop the AI Race\u201d protest march on Saturday, July 11, 2026, in San Francisco, California. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

On April 15, the suspect entered the San Francisco headquarters of Anthropic, the world\u2019s most valuable AI startup, by closely following behind an employee who swiped in with their badge, according to the Wall Street Journal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A security guard moved to stop the intruder, who then produced an envelope bearing the name of a top Anthropic executive. The man warned that the executive was \u201cgoing to be killed\u201d and said he needed to alert someone, according to the report, which cited records of the incident.<\/p>\n

The incident came just days after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman\u2019s San Francisco home was allegedly targeted in an attempted firebombing<\/a>. The mansion was reportedly targeted again that same week when a car pulled up outside and a passenger fired a shot<\/a>, according to law enforcement.<\/p>\n

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks at the Dreamforce 2026 summit on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in San Francisco, California. REUTERS<\/p>\n

Anthropic did not confirm the April incident, telling The Post that it has maintained 24\/7 security since 2024 and regularly communicates with employees about emerging threats.<\/p>\n

A company spokesperson told the Journal that its security team is trained to seek de-escalation and not to detain people.<\/p>\n

Public opinion has fast turned against AI as the new tech is increasingly cited as a leading reason for layoffs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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