The contractors consider Google a "joint employer" with Accenture, holding both companies accountable for their treatment. However, Google denies being a direct employer, stating that Accenture alone determines the workers' employment terms and conditions. This stance has been criticized, with the National Labor Relations Board ruling that Alphabet should be classified as a joint employer, forcing Google to negotiate with workers. Google's refusal to do so may lead to another legal battle.
Key takeaways:
- A group of Google contract workers, who are employed through Accenture and were involved in training Google's Bard AI chatbot, have voted to form a union to secure better working conditions and protections.
- The contractors will join the Alphabet Workers Union, which represents employees at Google and its parent company, Alphabet.
- Google maintains it isn't a direct employer and that any issues are between the workers and Accenture, while the contractors classify Google as a “joint employer” alongside Accenture.
- More contract workers across all areas of Google are starting to unionize, and the National Labor Relations Board has ruled that Alphabet should be classified as a joint employer, a decision that would force Google to negotiate with workers as part of the contract bargaining process.