Welcome to Human Capital: A Weekly Update on Work and Workers

This newsletter delivers the latest news concerning diversity, equity, inclusion, and labor issues. Subscribe here to receive each Friday’s edition at 1 p.m. PT.

The occurrences of this week vividly demonstrate the diverse challenges faced by workers and within workplaces, particularly in the technology sector. Google resolved certain discrimination claims brought forth by the Department of Labor, Amazon reached an agreement to settle a complaint with the FTC regarding misappropriated tips from Flex drivers, and the Alphabet Workers Union submitted a formal complaint to the National Labor Relations Board.

Dumpling Delivery Workers Express Concerns

Workers for the Instacart alternative, Dumpling, have voiced claims of being misled regarding the company’s operational model, as detailed in a recent report by Vice.

According to Vice, the company also reportedly removed a Facebook post where workers were protesting alterations to their compensation.

Alpha Global Reconsiders Initial Announcement

Previously, Alpha Global publicized an alliance encompassing Alphabet employees globally, including those associated with the newly established Alphabet Workers Union within the U.S. However, this announcement proved to be inaccurate.

Alpha Global has since released a corrected statement, clarifying that it did not secure the endorsement of the AWU. The initial announcement, as reported by The Verge, caused some friction.

Certain AWU members have expressed reservations about the situation, and discussions are now underway regarding potential disaffiliation from the Communications Workers of America. Further details can be found here.

Alphabet Workers Union Files Complaint with the NLRB

The AWU filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that Google vendor Adecco violated labor laws by attempting to suppress employee voices.

The complaint asserts that employees faced repercussions for discussing their earnings. The allegations are directed at both Adecco and Google.

Google CEO Engages with HBCUs

Following the recent departures of several Black leaders from Google, CEO Sundar Pichai convened a meeting with representatives from five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) last Friday.

The meeting was described as largely uneventful, with discussions reportedly avoiding the controversies surrounding Dr. Timnit Gebru and April Curley. However, both HBCUs and Google released a joint statement to CNN:

“We are all encouraged about the future partnership. The meeting established a foundation for a more substantial collaboration in numerous areas, including expanded recruitment efforts and capacity-building initiatives aimed at increasing the pipeline of tech talent from HBCUs.”

Regarding Dr. Gebru, Margaret Mitchell, Google’s lead for ethical AI, shared an email she sent to Google concerning Gebru’s departure.

Google Reaches Settlement in Discrimination Allegations with DOL

Google has agreed to a payment of $2.59 million to over 5,500 current and former employees and applicants, resolving allegations of systemic discrimination in compensation and hiring practices.

Furthermore, Google committed to allocating $250,000 annually for the next five years to address potential pay equity adjustments. This brings Google’s total financial commitment to $3.8 million – a relatively small sum considering the company’s parent, Alphabet, boasts a market capitalization of $1.28 trillion.

The settlement follows findings by the DOL’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, which identified pay disparities affecting female software engineers at Google offices in Mountain View, Seattle, and Kirkland, Washington. The OFCCP also noted discrepancies in hiring rates that “disadvantaged female and Asian applicants” for engineering positions in San Francisco, Sunnyvale, and Kirkland.

Google Employees Resign in Protest

Vinesh Kannan, a software engineer, resigned from Google in response to the experiences of Dr. Timnit Gebru and April Curley.

In a tweet, Kannan stated that their experiences “crossed a personal red line” established upon joining the company. They acknowledged the benefits gained from Google but also emphasized the value derived from the work of Gebru and Curley, asserting that they were treated unfairly.

David Baker, formerly a director focused on user safety, left Google last month, stating that Gebru’s departure “extinguished my desire to continue as a Googler,” as reported by Reuters.

Amazon to Pay $61.7 Million to Settle FTC Complaint

Amazon will distribute $61.7 million to compensate Flex drivers who were deprived of tips they rightfully earned.

As reported by TC’s Sarah Perez:

The FTC also alleged that Amazon failed to address this issue until it became aware of the FTC’s investigation in 2019.

Amazon Union Election Scheduled

Despite Amazon’s attempts to postpone the union election in Bessemer, Alabama, the National Labor Relations Board denied the company’s request on Friday.

The election will proceed as planned, with mail-in ballots being distributed starting on Monday, February 8. Amazon has actively campaigned against unionization, maintaining a website dedicated to dissuading workers and posting anti-union materials, even in restrooms, according to The Washington Post.

Workers Protest Proposed Amazon Facility

In Oxnard, California, workers staged a protest at the construction site of a future Amazon fulfillment center, disrupting ongoing work, as reported by Vice.

The strike aimed to highlight the fact that Amazon contractor, Building Zone Industries, employed non-union workers brought in from out of state. Over 100 individuals participated, refusing to cross the picket line to work on the project.

California Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Prop 22

The California Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit filed by rideshare drivers and the Service Employees International Union, which argued that Proposition 22 violates the state’s constitution.

“We are disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear our case, but make no mistake: we are not deterred in our fight to win a livable wage and basic rights,” stated Hector Castellanos, a plaintiff in the case.

“We will consider every option available to protect California workers from attempts by companies like Uber and Lyft to subvert our democracy and attack our rights in order to improve their bottom lines.”

The lawsuit contended that Prop 22 hinders the state legislature’s ability to establish and enforce a workers’ compensation system for gig workers. It also argued that Prop 22 violates the rule limiting ballot measures to a single issue and unconstitutionally defines what constitutes an amendment to the measure. Currently, amending Prop 22 requires a seven-eighths legislative supermajority.

Register for TC Sessions: Justice

I am organizing an upcoming virtual event, TC Sessions: Justice, which will explore these topics in depth. Speakers will include AWU Executive Chair Parul Koul, former Amazon warehouse worker Christian Smalls, Uber Chief Diversity Officer Bo Young Lee, Backstage Capital founder and Managing Partner Arlan Hamilton, and others.

Tickets are available for just $5 and can be purchased here.