Wikimedia Foundation Fires MediaWiki Lead Developer and Union Organizers, Sparking Editor Strike Threats
By
cdrnsf
An everything bagel for the brain. Substantive, layered, well-seasoned.
Summary
The Wikimedia Foundation fired Brooke Vibber, the longtime lead developer of MediaWiki, and disbanded the volunteer liaison team in a ten-day period in May. Most of those fired were union organizers. Wikipedia editors are now threatening to strike in solidarity. The Foundation holds $296 million in reserves and has a profitable AI revenue stream, raising questions about its motives. The article frames this as part of Big Tech's anti-labor playbook with global implications for the open-source and volunteer-driven internet.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledIn ten days last month, the Wikimedia Foundation fired the longtime lead developer of MediaWiki and disbanded the team whose entire job was to listen to volunteers.
Most of the people they fired were union organizers.
Wikipedia's editors are now threatening to strike in solidarity.
The Foundation is sitting on $296 million in reserves and a freshly profitable AI revenue stream.
This is a confrontation with global implications.
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