Google employees have announced plans to unionize with Communications Workers of America (CWA). The Alphabet Workers Union will be open to all employees and contractors of the parent company of Google. Its aim will be to deal with constant issues such as wage disparity, retaliation and controversial government contracts.
“This union is based on years of courageous organization by Google employees,” said Nicki Anselmo, Google’s program manager. “From fighting the ‘real names’ policy, to opposing the Maven Project, to protesting the notorious, multi-million dollar payments that were made to executives who committed sexual harassment, we saw firsthand that Alphabet responds when we act collectively. “
Google’s work on the Maven Project, an effort to use AI to improve targeted drone attacks, has sparked protests among officials who considered the work unethical. In 2018, the company decided not to renew its contract with the Pentagon. The company also ended its forced arbitration policy after 20,000 workers went on strike to protest against former executive Andy Rubin who received a $ 90 million exit package after being accused of sexual harassment.
Now that the union effort is public, organizers are likely to launch a series of campaigns to garner votes from Google workers. Before the announcement, about 230 Google employees and contractors signed cards in support of the union.
Google contractors have long complained about their unequal treatment compared to the full-time team. While they make up the majority of Google’s workforce, they often lack the benefits of salaried employees. In 2019, about 80 Google contractors in Pittsburgh voted to join the United Steelworkers union.
The Alphabet Workers Union plans to unionize with CWA Local 1400, which represents workers in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and California.
The news comes a month after the National Labor Relations Board filed a complaint alleging that Google illegally fired two workers who were organizing employee protests. The employees, Laurence Berland and Kathryn Spiers, were organizing themselves against the company’s decision to work with IRI Consultants, a company famous for its anti-union efforts.
It also follows the resignation of prominent AI ethics expert Timnit Gebru in December. In a press release announcing the union, Alphabet Workers Union wrote: “The dismissal has caused outrage in thousands of us, including black and brown workers who are heartbroken by the company’s actions and unsure about their future at Google.”
Earlier this year, employees at the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform voted to join the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 153, as reported by NBC. It was the first time that administrative officials in the technology industry have unionized.
If the union effort at Google is successful, members say they will commit one percent of their annual compensation to the union. The money will go towards paying legal fees and organizing staff.