I hadn’t realized that Google had abandoned what was once the opening phrase of its code of conduct: Don’t be evil. Just as well, since it and its “contractors” are, not to put too fine a point on it: evil:
A year ago, 80 Google contractors employed by HCL America in Pittsburgh voted to unionize with US Steelworkers—a historic victory for white collar tech workers in the U.S. Since then, the fight to win their first union contract has been an uphill battle.
On Thursday, the National Labor Relations Board issued a formal complaint against HCL, alleging that the company has violated U.S. labor law by failing to bargain with the U.S. Steelworkers union, implementing unilateral changes, and transferring bargaining unit work to non-union members working in a facility in Krakow, Poland.
“[HCL] engaged in [the conduct described] because employees formed, joined and assisted the Union and engaged in concerted activities, and to discourage employees from engaging in these activities,” the NLRB complaint states.
In 2019, roughly two-thirds of the 80 contractors in Pittsburgh who work at Google’s Bakery Square office voted in favor of unionization. While they are not employed directly by Google, many of them work as analysts on Google Shopping.
Read the full story for all the gory details.
It takes a lot for the NLRB to file a complaint these days, given that it’s dominated by Republican appointees.
A few additional points. The article to which I’ve linked is from Motherboard. It’s a site well worth visiting. It often covers stories of real importance that are neglected elsewhere.
Also, don’t use Google. Use Duck-Duck Go. They actually aren’t evil and their search results are as good as Google’s.
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