Around 80 subcontractors who work for Google Help recently voted to unionize with the Alphabet Workers Union-Communications Workers of America (AWU-CWA), only to find out last week that they will be laid off. The group has begun a hearing with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to address the issue of joint employment for contractors. Many of the affected workers feel that the layoffs are a form of retaliation.
The unionization effort was announced on June 8th, and a few weeks later, around two-thirds of the workers were notified about the impending layoffs. This group consists of writers and graphic designers responsible for creating internal and external content for Google, including support pages for Google Help. The workers consider both Google and Accenture as joint employers due to their direct involvement in shaping working conditions. However, because they are employed by Accenture, a tech consultancy, they do not have the same protections as workers covered by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. However, California is currently considering expanding protections for contract workers.
Julia Nagatsu Granstrom, a Senior Writer and member of the Alphabet Workers Union-CWA, expressed disappointment over the layoffs. She highlighted how the unionization effort was intended to bring both Google and Accenture to the bargaining table to negotiate on key demands, including layoff protections. Nagatsu Granstrom described the layoffs as “absolutely unacceptable,” particularly considering the timing and the overwhelming support from workers for the union campaign.
This is not the first instance where Google contractors who expressed intentions to unionize with AWU-CWA have faced layoffs. A group of company contractors responsible for rating search results were fired last month, but they were later reinstated and promised backpay after filing Unfair Labor Practice charges with the NLRB.
Casey Padron, a general writer on the Google Help team, expressed her surprise and disappointment over the layoffs. She believes that the timing suggests retaliation for the union formation. Padron finds it suspicious that Google and Accenture management consistently praise the quality of their work while claiming budget cuts as the reason for the layoffs. She points out that Accenture has posted job listings that match their exact job description and project code, further raising doubts about the motives behind the cuts.
Padron argues that giant corporations like Google and Accenture need to prioritize treating their workers with dignity, respect, and humanity. She believes that if these billion-dollar companies cannot provide humane working conditions, then their business models need radical change. Padron emphasizes the impact of the layoffs on Google Help’s operations, mentioning that some operations managers and Googlers who collaborate with them have expressed concerns about the loss of their team’s expertise.
Even though the impacted workers are facing layoffs, they remain resilient and united in their fight for fair treatment. Nagatsu Granstrom asserts that they will explore every possible recourse to support the affected members and continue organizing workers at Google Help and beyond. Similarly, Padron reflects a sense of determination, stating that the workers will not be demoralized by Accenture and Google’s actions. She insists that they will fight for their jobs, which they love and depend on.
In conclusion, the 80 subcontractors from Google Help who recently voted to unionize with the AWU-CWA have been dealt a blow with the announcement of their layoffs. These workers believe that the timing of the layoffs and the claimed reasons indicate retaliation for their unionization efforts. Despite the setback, they remain resolute in their fight for fair treatment and continue to pursue avenues to support their impacted members. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by workers in the gig economy and the importance of worker protection laws.
