Google workers of the world, unite!

Until recently, Google’s unofficial motto was “Don’t be evil.” When it restructured to become a subsidiary of Alphabet in 2015, the motto was changed to “Do the right thing”—apparently a response to accusations that some of its actions were in fact “evil.” Indeed, despite the progressive image Google/Alphabet has endeavored to present, it has in recent years faced numerous high-profile allegations of sexism, ageism, racism, political bias, and unethical business choices.

On January 4, 2021, 226 of Alphabet’s 230,000 employees and contractors surprised the world by announcing they had secretly organized as the Alphabet Workers Union (AWU), a nonexclusive “solidarity” union open to all Alphabet workers throughout North America, including not only rank-and-file temporary and full-time employees but also managers, contractors, interns, and vendors.

Formation of AWU

Disclaiming any immediate intent to seek recognition as an exclusive bargaining representative under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the AWU’s stated long-term goal is to increase its mass to a “unified worker voice” that it can use to pressure Alphabet into living up to its original values. AWU’s mission statement proclaims the breadth of its ambitions: “To protect Alphabet workers, our global society, and our world.”

By the end of its first day, the AWU’s announced membership had more than doubled, and by January 25, it had quadrupled to more than 800 members. That same day, the union also announced the formation of Alpha Global, a “global alliance” with unions in nine other countries.