Google's HCL contractors in Pittsburgh launch a public petition asking for support
Google's first labor union is fighting bad-faith tactics by outsourcing firm HCL
The United HCL Workers of Pittsburgh, which represents in a very real sense "Google's first labor union", has now been fighting for a negotiated contract for nearly 18 months since workers’ successful vote in September 2019 to join the United Steelworkers as an NLRB-recognized union. These workers are employees of the giant India-based outsourcing firm HCL Technologies, and are part of Google's so-called "shadow workforce" that typically receives lower compensation and benefits than formal Google employees.
In October of 2020, the NLRB issued a complaint against HCL America accusing this Google supplier of illegal labor practices, including bargaining in bad faith and illegal offshoring. The union has now launched a petition asking for public support in the union's efforts to negotiate a contract.
You can sign the petition here:
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/united-hcl-workers-of-pittsburgh-community-support-petition
Some extracts below.
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United HCL Workers of Pittsburgh Community Support Petition
As a concerned community member, I call on Google contractor HCL America, Inc. to stop breaking the law and to bargain in good faith with the United HCL Workers of Pittsburgh to reach an agreement on a fair union contract.
On September 24, 2019, tech workers employed by the Google contractor HCL Technologies proudly announced their victory in winning their union election. About 80 employees came together seeking a voice on the job, forming the United HCL workers of Pittsburgh, affiliated with the United Steelworkers (USW)....
On October 8, 2020, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a consolidated complaint against HCL America Inc. In the complaint, the NLRB outlines HCL’s failure to bargain in good faith by failing to provide information needed for bargaining and unilaterally changing working conditions.
The complaint also alleges that HCL moved work previously done by members of the United HCL Workers overseas, both in reprisal for workers forming their Union and as a way to discourage employees from further organizing efforts. “Most egregiously, HCL has been eroding its Pittsburgh workforce by brazenly moving work done here to its facility in Krakow, Poland,” said Josh Borden, who serves on the union’s Bargaining Committee. “Management would rather break the law than negotiate in good faith for a fair contract.” ...
Workers at HCL deserve the opportunity to bargain with their employer without fear of unlawful reprisals and unnecessary delays. I join with the United HCL Workers and their allies across the country to demand that HCL America, Inc. stop breaking the law!
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