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Collective bargaining has never had its place in Silicon Valley. Unions are almost non-existent for technical employees in the technology sector, who generally enjoy high salaries, minimal benefits and a great deal of job mobility thanks to their much-needed skills.
Wendy Liu, economic editor of the British publication New "A Socialist" and a former Google employee, said that the protests were "extremely inspiring" overall as the idea of employee dissent was spreading across the country. Silicon Valley.
"For technology workers to see themselves as workers – with the interests can go against those of their bosses.This is an exciting development," she says.
"High-tech companies often try to make their employees see themselves as" team members "and be part of a" family "that should feel love and even gratitude for their company. "
She also felt it when she was at Google, before realizing how unhealthy this dynamic was for the workers.
On Thursday, Google employees borrowed tactics from historical work. organize. In their statement of claims, the main organizers of the protest discussed movements such as the teachers strike in West Virginia and the "Fight for $ 15" protests organized by fast-food workers.
Indeed, the San Francisco demonstration even took place at Harry Bridges. Plaza – Bridges was an influential union leader in the early 20th century – and speakers evoked his and other examples of organizing historical work. San Francisco protesters also spoke of simultaneous strikes by Marriott employees.
Blue collar workers in large technology companies, such as Facebook cafeteria employees and Bay Area security guards, began to organize. last years. Organizers of Google's events deliberately wanted to include these contract workers in their demands.
Technology companies are hiring more and more subcontractors, salespeople and temporary workers (TVCs), which can increase profits and speed up hiring. However, these workers generally earn less, incur higher benefits costs, and lack the job security of direct employees. Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported the astonishing statistic that Alphabet employed more TVCs than direct employees. This is no small feat, because Alphabet had 85,050 direct employees at the time.
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