Why the balance of power in tech is shifting toward workers | MIT Technology Review
▻https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/02/07/1044760/tech-workers-unionizing-power/?truid=a497ecb44646822921c70e7e051f7f1a
A record number of tech worker unions formed in the US last year. They’re part of a global effort.
Something has changed for the tech giants. Even as they continue to hold tremendous influence in our daily lives, a growing accountability movement has begun to check their power. The movement is being led, in large part, by tech workers themselves, who are seeking reform of how these companies do business, treat their employees, and conduct themselves as global citizens.
Concerns and anger over tech companies’ impact in the world is nothing new, of course. What’s changed is that workers are increasingly getting organized.
To understand how advocacy and organizing within the tech industry work now, you have to go back to 2018, the year of the Techlash. Three important things happened that year. First a Cambridge Analytica whistleblower came forward with allegations of data misuse at Facebook. Then thousands of Google employees fought against Project Maven, an AI initiative created to enhance military drones. The year culminated in a massive, global Google walkout spurred by New York Times’ revelation of a $90 million exit payout to Android creator Andy Rubin following allegations of sexual misconduct.
“The walkout, I think, cleared a space for everybody to scream in the streets,” says Claire Stapleton, one of the organizers.
Read the full story.
—Jane Lytvynenko