They cite infeasibility as the reason for going back to the office while also accusing several moves made by Google and Cognizant, Alphabet’s subcontractor, to stop their unionization efforts. Finally, they have appealed to the National Labor Relations Board to be recognized as “ jointly employed ” by Cognizant and Alphabet to avail more rights.
Protests by Google Workers
In a rare scene, employees from the freshly formed union in Austin, Texas, are protesting against Alphabet’s (Google’s parent company) Work-From-Office policy to the YouTube Music team, starting February 6th, 2023.
Named the Alphabet Works Union-CWA (AWU-CWA) , the union members-cum-YouTube Music employees said that Alphabet’s return-to-office threatens their safety and livelihoods – since their $19-per-hour pay makes it hard to afford relocation, travel, and healthcare costs!
BREAKING ???? YouTube Music workers are starting a strike today after @Cognizant and @Google management announced they were forcing workers to return to office on February 6. This is the first strike for @AlphabetWorkers ’ and the first known strike at Google. #YouTubeStrike pic.twitter.com/BgGLZAVpUu — Alphabet Workers Union (AWU-CWA) (@AlphabetWorkers) February 3, 2023
