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Google employees in London walked out of the company’s offices on Tuesday over a dispute regarding layoffs. The action was sparked by Alphabet, Google’s parent company, announcing plans to lay off 12,000 employees globally in January, equivalent to 6% of its workforce.
Hundreds of Google UK employees, who are members of trade union Unite, took part in the walkout, accusing the tech giant of ignoring concerns they had raised. Matt Whaley, Unite regional officer, said: “Our members are clear: Google needs to listen to its own advice of not being evil…They and Unite will not back down until Google allows workers full union representation, engages properly with the consultation process, and treats its staff with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
A Google employee at the protest, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that talks between employees and management had been “extremely frustrating”. They added: “But it feels as if our concerns have fallen on deaf ears.”
Google is facing redundancy talks across Europe in line with local employment laws, with workers at its Zurich office staging a similar walkout last month.
A spokesperson for Google said: “We know this is a very challenging time for our employees…we are working hard to bring them clarity and share updates as soon as we can in adherence with all UK processes and legal requirements.” Google currently employs over 5,000 people in the UK.
The ongoing pandemic has added further economic uncertainty, and the Google layoffs have stoked wider concerns over job security in the tech sector. As the walkout in London came to an end on Tuesday, the protesters vowed to continue pushing for greater transparency and worker representation at Google.
“We want to be able to represent ourselves,” said one protester, who asked not to be named. “We want to be able to stand up for our rights and not have to rely on management to do it for us.”
The company has faced criticism from employees and lawmakers around the world over its treatment of workers, including allegations of retaliation against those who speak out.
Last year, Google fired four employees who had organized a petition calling for better working conditions, leading to protests and accusations of union-busting. Tech companies have been under growing scrutiny over their labor practices and treatment of employees, with unions and activists pushing for greater protections and rights for workers.
The Google walkout in London is the latest in a series of labor disputes and protests across the tech industry, as workers demand a greater say in the decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods.
