A must-read piece from a tech worker at Google, arguing for a worker-led “AI arms embargo”: https://www.thenation.com/article/society/google-employee-speaks-out-war-contracting/
#TechLabor
🦊
I am downright delighted to announce that my latest book, YOU DESERVE A TECH UNION, has a brand new look. I really love it, and I hope you do too.
Here’s a look at what’s changed and—maybe more importantly—what’s stayed the same:
https://ethanmarcotte.com/wrote/refresh-a-new-look-for-you-deserve-a-tech-union/
#YDATUbook #books #bookstodon #blogging #labor #TechLabor #unions #TechUnions #1u
“Today, Alphabet Workers Union-CWA members on the Google Help team secured a first collective contract with Google vendor Accenture, becoming the first group of AWU-CWA represented workers to bargain a collective contract and only the second group of Google office workers ever to do so.”
oh my yes https://detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/archive/DC6A8DF1-B6EB-4BFE-9CC7-774147737354#gallery
Always remember that advances in “artificial intelligence” are driven directly by exploited human labor: specifically, by underpaid contractors working under tremendous precarity, often while reviewing horribly traumatizing content:
(cw: descriptions of having viewed violent, extreme content; discussion of resulting trauma by those who viewed it)
The New York Times Tech Guild is officially on strike: washingtonpost.com/style/media... #unions #TechUnions #TechLabor #1u@beep@follow.ethanmarcotte.com
The New York Times Tech Guild is officially on strike: https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2024/11/04/new-york-times-tech-strike-walkout/
“The Tech Guild says Times management bargained for only seven hours in September, what they considered insufficient to reaching a deal.”
Some good coverage from @washingtonpost on the @NYTGuildTech’s strike threat: https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2024/10/23/new-york-times-tech-guild-strike/
BABY’S FIRST RADIO INTERVIEW! I had a wonderful time on KKFI’s Heartland Labor Forum, getting interviewed about tech unions, who gets to be a “tech worker,” and — you guessed it — YOU DESERVE A TECH UNION:
Taking Mastodon for another test drive… what’s the best way to find people to follow? Should I join a server specific to my interests? Search tags? I’m mostly here for tech/FOSS and left labor. #1u #TechLabor #FOSS
🦊
Last year, I wrote a book called YOU DESERVE A TECH UNION; several months later, my publisher decided to close its doors.
This is a post about what happens next: https://ethanmarcotte.com/wrote/reacquired/
ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL NEWS: https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/bethesda-game-studios-union-ZDA3AQGAPVDD3EEPAGBC5V6XJA/
“Workers at Maryland-based Bethesda Game Studios, the company behind blockbuster games such as ‘Starfield,’ the ‘Elder Scrolls’ series and the ‘Fallout’ series, have formed a union, according to the Communications Workers of America.”
”In [management’s] view, the mere act of attending the meeting was enough to demonstrate their good faith. Instead, they inadvertently made the union’s case clear: that if we do not push, we will not receive; that if we choose not to speak, we will never be heard.”
A wonderful essay from @jalcine, with background on how CfA Workers United fought for — and together, how they *won* — their first contract. https://www.kernelmag.io/4/labor-luck
New from me over at WBUR: I wrote about the workers’ letter that likely saved Sam Altman’s job at OpenAI, and my complicated feelings about it. https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2023/12/06/artificial-intelligence-tech-workers-collective-action-sam-altman-ethan-marcotte
WHAT WONDERFUL NEWS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgeiqEaaqiM
Funny how Sam Altman is available to do interviews about unrelated topics like #remote work and how it's not possible.
“A spokesperson for OpenAI said no one was available to answer questions about its use of AI contractors.”
well, yes https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/innovation/openai-chatgpt-ai-jobs-contractors-talk-shadow-workforce-powers-rcna81892
#labor #TechLabor #InvisibleWorkers
“A spokesperson for OpenAI said no one was available to answer questions about its use of AI contractors.”
Some great May Day news.
Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and ChatGPT Kenyan content moderators formed a union.
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