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DigitalJacobin ( DigitalJacobin@lemmy.ml )  to Technology@lemmy.mlEnglish · 3 years ago

Google Flat-Out Refuses to Bargain With Workers, Prompting YouTube Music Strike

www.vice.com

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  • cross-posted to:
  • unions@lemmy.ml
  • brainworms@lemm.ee
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Google Flat-Out Refuses to Bargain With Workers, Prompting YouTube Music Strike

www.vice.com

DigitalJacobin ( DigitalJacobin@lemmy.ml )  to Technology@lemmy.mlEnglish · 3 years ago
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  • cross-posted to:
  • unions@lemmy.ml
  • brainworms@lemm.ee
In an email obtained by Motherboard, Google tells YouTube Music workers it will "not be participating in collective bargaining."
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  • Hot Saucerman ( dingus@lemmy.ml ) BannedBanned
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    3 years ago

    Google is sitting on the “but they’re contractors!” angle because it makes it easier for them.

    Why?

    Because once the union does collective bargaining with their actual employer, Cognizant, the company will have almost no recourse but to increase fees to Google for the contract work.

    Once this happens, Google just says “Oops, you’re shit out of luck” and then hires a whole new company of contracted workers for the same work, for cheaper.

    Google purposefully uses this type of structure to ensure they never have to pay more, even when collective bargaining with unions does happen. Because then they can just shitcan the whole company and claim costs were too high. They certainly won’t break their contract, but you can bet your ass when time comes to renew it, Google will have found someone new to take their place.

    • Deconceptualist ( Deconceptualist@lemm.ee ) 
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      3 years ago

      This is exactly how it works. I’ve seen the same thing go down with another major Google contractor (fortunately as an outsider).

    • GunnarRunnar ( GunnarRunnar@kbin.social ) 
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      3 years ago

      That sounds like their jobs require no talent and are easily replaced. Is it so?

      • Bipta ( Bipta@kbin.social ) 
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        3 years ago

        As a user of YouTube Music, quite possibly.

        They probably still deserve raises.

      • Hot Saucerman ( dingus@lemmy.ml ) BannedBanned
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        • Bipta ( Bipta@kbin.social ) 
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          They’re literally replying to a comment which made that case. It wasn’t even their original idea and you’re shitting on them for it. Learn to fucking read.

          Edit: wow and it’s your own comment that you apparently don’t know how to read.

          Once this happens, Google just says “Oops, you’re shit out of luck” and then hires a whole new company of contracted workers for the same work, for cheaper.

          • Hot Saucerman ( dingus@lemmy.ml ) BannedBanned
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        • GunnarRunnar ( GunnarRunnar@kbin.social ) 
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          I was basing my question on the plan how Google uses contract work. Well it’s fucking hard to just throw that staff away if it’s not easy or what? Try to fucking give two seconds of thought before being an asshole fucking shit head.

          My question was about them not being easily replaceable, like that other comment seemed to describe.

          Have a shit fucking life.

          • Hot Saucerman ( dingus@lemmy.ml ) BannedBanned
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            • GunnarRunnar ( GunnarRunnar@kbin.social ) 
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              Sorry about coming off as rude but all I wanted was an answer why they’d be easily replaceable because that’s the only way Google can willynilly just fire the entire staff. Otherwise the premise doesn’t make sense.

              But you’re probably six feet deep on a five foot pole so apologies probably won’t do too much for your.

              • ram ( ram@lemmy.ca ) 
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                3 years ago

                You really need a ukelele for your apologies.

                • GunnarRunnar ( GunnarRunnar@kbin.social ) 
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                  What can I say, it kinda pisses me off that they set me up and can’t even answer the question.

                  Good news is that since I’m easily replaceable the next guy can worry about the perfect apology.

      • Khotetsu ( Khotetsu@lib.lgbt ) 
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        It sounds like your job requires no talent and you could be easily replaced. Is it so?

        Just because there are other people out there who can do the same job as you (or them) doesn’t mean that it takes no skill, nor that replacing them can be done at a snap of the fingers. But nobody is irreplaceable. That’s how companies see their employees. Even you.

        • Steeve ( Steeve@lemmy.ca ) deleted by creator
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          Of course everyone deserves a raise and I do hope they get everything they’re asking for, but some people are more easily replaceable than others and in this case there might just be nothing stopping them from being replaced. It sucks, but Google isn’t technically required to negotiate.

          • thejevans ( thejevans@lemmy.ml ) deleted by creator
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            • Steeve ( Steeve@lemmy.ca ) deleted by creator
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              3 years ago

              That’s a very defeatist attitude. In this case Google can just sign the contract to another company, but unions do work historically.

              • thejevans ( thejevans@lemmy.ml ) deleted by creator
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  • Haus ( Haus@kbin.social ) 
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    3 years ago

    Once the body of that first billionaire hits the floor, they’re gonna start dropping like flies.

  • gregorum ( gregorum@lemm.ee ) 
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    3 years ago

    Google has never been quick to learn lessons, especially when it comes to its workers.

    • The Doctor ( drwho@beehaw.org ) 
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      When it comes to their workers, the Big G does learn its lessons. That’s why it’s so able to keep screwing them over; they reason from the standpoint of “how do I make this not affect me?”

      • gregorum ( gregorum@lemm.ee ) 
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        Must be why it keeps coming back to bite them in the ass

      • AngrilyEatingMuffins ( AngrilyEatingMuffins@kbin.social ) 
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        Google’s tech union crossed the picket line when their NYC building was getting asbestos removed by scabs. They refused to help the custodial union. They suck, too.

  • skellener ( skellener@kbin.social ) 
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    Can they automatically go union then? I thought there’s a new law about that.

    • DigitalJacobin ( DigitalJacobin@lemmy.ml ) OP
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      3 years ago

      is this what you’re referring to?

      The U.S. National Labor Relations Board on Friday resurrected key elements of a policy it eliminated more than 50 years ago requiring businesses that commit labor law violations to bargain with unions without holding formal elections.

  • donuts ( donuts@kbin.social ) 
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    What they should really do is pay musicians more.

    • interolivary ( interolivary@beehaw.org ) 
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      Pay the execs more, you say? Sure thing!

    • DigitalJacobin ( DigitalJacobin@lemmy.ml ) OP
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  • Metal Zealot ( Metal_Zealot@lemmy.ml ) 
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