Google engineers fired for workplace activism file NLRB complaint

A National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) complaint filed by CWA on behalf a group of four former Google engineers alleges that they were fired by Google “to discourage and chill employees from engaging in protected concerted and union activities.” The complaint follows a September 2019 settlement with the NLRB that required Google to post notices reminding employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act. In November, hundreds of Google workers protested the firings in a public rally, with additional actions taking place at Google offices in Cambridge, MA, Seattle, WA, and in New York City, NY. 

The recent wave of worker activism at Google follows the vote by a group of 80 Google office contract workers in Pittsburgh to unionize with the United Steel Workers.

Links:

Labor group says Google unlawfully fired workers to prevent union activities (The Hill, Dec. 6, 2019)

Ex-Google engineers, in federal filing, allege anti-union retaliation cost them their jobs (The Washington Post, Dec. 6, 2019)