Why YouTube Workers Are Going On Strike
YouTube workers are threatening to go on strike after its parent company, Google, instituted a return-to-office mandate.
Sometimes you read something so silly that you have to think, “there must be some kind of misunderstanding or a gap in communication here.” And for this issue, in particular at YouTube, this is one of those times. Although this year had copious threats of strikes from railway workers and now Disney World cast members, all strikes were thwarted when unions came to a happy compromise. (Whew!)
According to Vice, several YouTube contractors threaten to strike over a new return-to-office policy. The new policy comes out of a press release from parent company, Google, and threatens the livelihoods of many people. The workers must return to an Austin-based office, but many contracted employees don’t live nearby.
This is the first time Google-affiliated workers have threatened to go on strike. However, some organized in the past to show support for social movements like Black Lives Matter and the knowledge of sexual harassment scandals. The YouTube workers are subcontractors and work for a company called Cognizant. Most of the workers are remote and are not even in Texas, thereby making going into the office impossible.
In addition to this information, the YouTube contract workers in question are testers of an algorithm. They make around $19/hr and can’t afford relocation, a lengthy commute, or childcare to go into an office. Workers are currently demanding that Google and Cognizant leaders get together to create a fair return-to-work policy that doesn’t jeopardize workers’ livelihoods.
Earlier this year, NICU nurses did strike. This move put many sick newborns in peril as they were cared for by travel nurses unfamiliar with the hospitals, their systems, or specific protocols. Although YouTube may not be putting lives in jeopardy, workers rely on jobs to keep them living.
In another issue this year, Southwest Airlines pilots are threatening to strike and even have a definite timeline. They demand payment for the time they lost over the 2022 holidays when flight attendants and pilots alike were stuck in hotels away from family when they were not supposed to be working.
Working professionals go on strike when they want to see a change in their workplace. Employees have a right to strike; however, what the outcome can be when there is a work stoppage is unknown. Usually, employees are represented by a union that will negotiate on their behalf and helps protect them against retaliation. In this case, the YouTube employees do have representation.
The YouTube workers are affiliated with the Alphabet Workers Union-CWA. This union represents workers at Google’s parent company, Alphabet. However, at this time, the union is not recognized by the National Labor Relations Board.
What happens with the YouTube remote work situation in Texas remains to be seen; it can go either way. Google, YouTube’s parent company risks losing some brand reputation and some contract workers, depending on how badly the company wants those workers back in the office.
It is a risky proposition, however, as the tech sector has had some rough patches of layoffs and below-expectation profits this year. Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, and Twitter are among the global brands that have laid off workers. More than 88,000 tech sector employees have been let go due to downsizing this year.
