With no passengers to transport, Silicon Valley's tech bus drivers are being paid to stay home. But how long will Google, Apple and Facebook keep them on for the ride?
Shuttle drivers for Google, Apple, Facebook and more are being paid to stay home, but as contractors don't get a direct line to these tech companies, they're now relying on their employers and unions to fight for their wages.
In more normal times the famous, and controversial, tech shuttles – a common sighting on the roads of the San Francisco Bay Area – play a vital role in keeping the Silicon Valley machine whirring. According to the most recent data from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, there are just over 1,000 shuttle buses criss-crossing the Bay Area every day.
"We all know these tech companies have money to pay us if they want to, but who knows how long this will last?" said one driver who regularly ferries Facebook employees to its Menlo Park, Calif. campus, and asked not to be identified. "We're working with all of our suppliers to ensure hourly workers such as janitorial staff are being paid during this difficult time," an Apple spokesperson told Business Insider.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Culture is disrupted for coveted tech worker beesSilicon Valley companies offered perks like free meals, beer, and sweet pay packages to retain white collar staff in a tight labor market. Benefits will be cut as companies try to shore up cash. Office activism for pet issues will be replaced by traditional worker demands.
Read more »
Chase Q1 earnings reflect crisis preparation - Business Insider - Business InsiderChase's Q1 income was largely affected by an increase in credit costs as it builds up its reserve in preparation for the effects of the coronavirus
Read more »
10 things in tech you need to know today - Business InsiderAmazon has seen its first warehouse-worker death from COVID-19, and Apple can tell how well people in your area are staying home.
Read more »
Okta generated 4,000 leads at its virtual tech conference - Business InsiderThe CEO of $17 billion Okta says that doing its multi-day annual tech conference online generated 4,000 leads — way more than at its usual Las Vegas extravaganza
Read more »
5 plans to reopen the US economy after coronavirus offer glimpse into dystopian future - Business InsiderRestarting the US economy could require an expansion of public surveillance to trace the virus' spread. People's movements may also be restricted.
Read more »
10 things in tech you need to know today - Business InsiderAmazon is hiring 75,000 new workers, Apple and Google promise their tracking tech will be 'opt-in,' and Amazon is taking non-essential items again.
Read more »