BENGALURU: In a first, nearly 80 employees of HCL Technologies, who are deployed at Google office in Pittsburgh, have voted to unionize citing lesser pay and benefits, said the United Steelworkers (USW) union on Tuesday.
These 80 technology sector professionals are employed by the fourth largest India tech services company and working at Google’s Bakery Square offices.
HCL Technologies did not comment before press time.
USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industry sectors that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, the service and public sectors and higher education.
With these 80 members joining the union was first such representation from the tech services industry.
HCL Tech employees voted in favor of unionization despite a company-led anti-union campaign, which included mandatory meetings and the use of a controversial management consultant, said the union.
“Over the past few months, management has implied – and in some cases outright told us – that it’s better to just be quiet than fight for what’s right,” Johanne Rokholt, one of the HCL Tech employees was quoted as saying in the statement. “Today we have proved that we are not willing to do that," he said.
“We respect the decision of a unit of Pittsburgh based employees who have voted in favor of being represented by the United Steelworkers. We remain dedicated to continuing to provide an inclusive and open office culture for our team members,' said a HCL Tech spokesperson.
These 80 technology sector professionals are employed by the fourth largest India tech services company and working at Google’s Bakery Square offices.
The USW union said that it was proud to welcome these new members "The workers, who are staffed at the tech giant’s Bakery Square office alongside Google employees, voted today for union representation. They are seeking a voice on the job and the opportunity to bargain over wages and working conditions," the union said.
HCL Technologies did not comment before press time.
USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industry sectors that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, the service and public sectors and higher education.
With these 80 members joining the union was first such representation from the tech services industry.
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HCL Tech employees voted in favor of unionization despite a company-led anti-union campaign, which included mandatory meetings and the use of a controversial management consultant, said the union.
“Over the past few months, management has implied – and in some cases outright told us – that it’s better to just be quiet than fight for what’s right,” Johanne Rokholt, one of the HCL Tech employees was quoted as saying in the statement. “Today we have proved that we are not willing to do that," he said.
“We respect the decision of a unit of Pittsburgh based employees who have voted in favor of being represented by the United Steelworkers. We remain dedicated to continuing to provide an inclusive and open office culture for our team members,' said a HCL Tech spokesperson.
( Originally published on Sep 25, 2019 )
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