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Toby Melville | Reuters
Google Contractors Successfully Vote to Unionize
A group of Google contractors has managed to pull off what many thought was impossible – they have successfully voted to unionize. The victory comes after months of struggle and strife for these brave souls who dared to take on the mighty tech giant.
The Struggle is Real
The group hails from none other than Google contractor Accenture and includes individuals who have worked on Search and Bard – Google’s very own artificial intelligence chatbot. These hardworking folks claimed that they were asked by Google to help train the generative AI answers offered in Search and Bard but felt woefully underprepared for their tasks. I mean, come on, handling “obscene and graphic content”? That’s not exactly what you’d expect when signing up for a job at a tech company!
In response to this injustice, the plucky band of workers decided to file for unionization efforts back in June. And boy oh boy, did things get spicy! Not long after filing for unionization, more than half the team received notice that they would be laid off! Talk about retaliation! The Alphabet Workers Union alleged that these layoffs were nothing short of an act of revenge against those brave enough to challenge their overlords.
Joining Forces
The Alphabet Workers Union didn’t take this lying down; no sirree! They teamed up with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) as a minority union in 2021. Together with CWA’s support, they marched into battle against corporate oppression armed with righteous indignation and maybe some picket signs too.
A Victory Against All Odds
After months of fighting tooth and nail against Goliath (or should we say Googliath?), victory was finally within reach. On Monday night, workers in the group voted overwhelmingly for union representation—26 votes in favor versus just two opposed! Take that big tech!
A Joint Employer Showdown
This week’s ruling also brought another bombshell—the U.S National Labor Relations Board found that both Alphabet Inc., parent company of Google and its contractor Accenture are joint employers responsible for bargaining over terms and conditions of employment. In your face corporate fat cats!</P
“We’re Not Happy About It”</P
Naturally Google wasn’t thrilled about being classified as a joint employer alongside Accenture—that’s like getting dragged into someone else’s family drama involuntarily!. So naturally it appealed the decision because…well…why wouldn’t it? But hey – let’s give credit where it’s due—Google did make sure everyone knew they had “no objection”to these Accenture workers forming a union because why stop progress when you can just slow-walk it?</P
Celebrations Amidst Uncertainty<H/6
Jen Hill—a designer working on Google Help staff—couldn’t contain her excitement at this monumental win.“Today’s victory proves what’s possible,” she declared triumphantly while popping champagne (we assume).“When workers stand together even google cannot stand our way.” You tell ‘em Jen!</P
Solidarity Forever<\H7
This recent decision marks yet another instance where NLRB has found employees jointly employed by both Big G(oogle)and its contracting partner.Congratulations are definitely inorderforthisgroupofworkerswhohaveshownthattheywon’tbebulliedbythebiggestkidontheblock.Andas if allthatwasn’tdramaticenough,thealphabetisalsoappealingthecaseinvolvingYouTubecontentoperationsteam.Whenthegoinggets tough,the tough getunionized!
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