A letter, ostensibly composed by and on behalf of some Twitter employees, surfaced online this week — to very poor reviews. The writers of the letter “demand” Elon Musk maintain “the current headcount” at Twitter as well as the fringe benefits and “safety” so many employees have enjoyed, should Musk’s acquisition of the Big Tech platform proceed as expected. However, critics responded to the letter by accusing Twitter employees of acting like spoiled brats.
Time acquired a draft of the letter, which Independent claimed “has not yet been published but has been circulating around Twitter’s staff.” In the letter, the writers make a series of demands, including:
- a “respect [for] the platform and the workers who maintain it by committing to preserving the current headcount”;
- “safety” from discrimination, including discrimination based on “political beliefs”;
- “safety” for foreign employees whose visa status may be jeopardized if they lose their jobs; and
- “dignity.”
Such “negligent layoff threats” “will hurt Twitter’s ability to serve the public conversation” and act as a form “of worker intimidation,” the letter signers insist.
The letter closes with the request that the undersigned “not be treated as mere pawns in a game played by billionaires.”
Despite the seriousness with which Twitter employees seem to view the matter, many on the right see their list of demands as little more than a digital temper tantrum.
Editor in chief of the National Pulse Raheem Kassam referred to it as the wailings of the “participation trophy generation.”
Jeff Carlson of EpochTV wrote, “It’s hilarious that Twitter’s own workforce describes precisely WHY Elon needs to get rid of 75% of Twitter employees.”
Investor Jason Howerton added, “If I wanted to keep my job, I’d be working to make it clear to @elonmusk how much value I bring to the co.”
Musk has not publicly commented on the letter. Whatever his feelings about it or about the current Twitter workforce, he claims he will fight to restore free speech to the platform.
“I will not let you down, no matter what it takes,” Musk tweeted on Wednesday.
He is expected to acquire Twitter officially this Friday.