Over 200 employees and contractors from Google and its parent company, Alphabet, have announced the establishment of the Alphabet Workers Union, as initially reported by The New York Times. This union, organized with support from the Communication Workers of America (CWA) through its Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA), extends membership to both full-time employees and contracted personnel.

Currently, approximately 227 individuals have pledged their support for the union, committing to contribute 1% of their annual earnings towards union dues. These funds will be utilized to provide financial assistance to members experiencing wage loss during potential work stoppages. The majority of these founding members are located in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a presence also in Cambridge.

It’s important to note that the Alphabet Workers Union operates in a somewhat unconventional manner. With a membership of 227, it represents a small fraction of Alphabet’s total workforce of 132,121 individuals. The primary focus of this union is not necessarily collective bargaining with Alphabet’s various companies, but rather to facilitate collaborative efforts towards shared objectives.

“This marks a pivotal moment—the first union within a major technology company, created by and for all tech workers,” stated Dylan Baker, a software engineer at Google. “We will implement a democratic process for electing representatives and making decisions, collect dues, and engage experienced organizers to ensure all Google employees are aware of their ability to collaborate with us in shaping a company that truly reflects their principles.”

The formation of this union follows similar initiatives at other tech companies, including Kickstarter and Glitch, which established unions earlier last year. Furthermore, workers at HCL Technologies, a Google contractor in Pittsburgh, and cafeteria staff in the Bay Area also formed unions during the same period.

Wes McEnany, a union organizer with CODE-CWA, previously explained to TechCrunch that the increasing trend of unionization within the tech sector is driven by a new generation of workers. These individuals, while often financially secure, are increasingly concerned about the ethical implications of their work and the actions of their employers. They are reaching a point where they demand change.

Google has faced numerous labor-related challenges in recent years. These include employee walkouts, allegations of retaliation against walkout organizers, and the controversial departure of Dr. Timnit Gebru. Consequently, it is not unexpected that employees have chosen to formalize their organizing efforts.

In a press statement, workers highlighted that over half of Alphabet’s workforce consists of contract employees who often lack comprehensive benefits. They also expressed concerns regarding substantial severance packages awarded to executives accused of misconduct, as well as the company’s involvement in certain government contracts, specifically those related to military drone technology.

Recently, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed a complaint against Google, alleging violations of the National Labor Relations Act. The complaint claims Google engaged in employee surveillance and interfered with employees’ rights to organize, as guaranteed by Section 7 of the Act.

The NLRB further asserts that Google discouraged employees from participating in union-related activities, including forming, joining, or assisting a union.

These issues are central to the reasons behind the unionization effort; however, the union does not currently possess the legal authority to negotiate workplace conditions collectively.

Typically, the next step would involve seeking recognition from Alphabet, a process that can be challenging. In 2019, Kickstarter’s leadership declined to voluntarily recognize a union despite demonstrated worker support, instead requiring a formal election overseen by the NLRB. While Kickstarter workers ultimately achieved recognition, the process took approximately ten months from initial public announcement.

Kara Silverstein, Google’s Director of People Operations, provided the following statement to TechCrunch following the initial reporting:

“We have consistently prioritized the creation of a supportive and rewarding work environment for our employees. We fully respect our employees’ legally protected labor rights and will continue to engage directly with all members of our workforce.”

Upon official establishment, the Alphabet Workers Union will operate as part of CWA Local 1400.

“This union is the result of years of dedicated organizing by Google workers,” stated Nicki Anselmo, a program manager at Google. “From challenging the ‘real names’ policy to opposing Project Maven and protesting excessive payouts to executives accused of sexual harassment, we have witnessed firsthand that Alphabet responds to collective action. Our new union provides a lasting framework to ensure our shared values are respected, even after public attention diminishes.”

Workers also published an opinion piece in the New York Times outlining their motivations for launching the union campaign.

This article has been updated to provide further clarification regarding the structure of the Alphabet Workers Union.