Google Employees to DOJ: We Need Assurances for Their Separation to Be Effective.

Last month, Google employees met with the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department to share their perspectives on the eve of an anticipated government proposal aimed at dismantling the company. During this meeting, the workers emphasized the importance of ensuring that any measures taken to eradicate Google’s search monopoly protect and empower employees to voice their concerns.

Three representatives from the Alphabet Workers Union (AWU) participated in a virtual conversation on October 23 with members of the DOJ. During the hour-long meeting, Google employees urged the government to consider the impact that any judicial remedy could have on workers, ensuring that they are protected and informed about their rights to express concerns regarding compliance without fear of retaliation.

The government is evaluating a series of potential remedies aimed at dissolving Google’s control over the online search market, which has been classified as an illegal monopoly by Judge Amit Mehta. Among the initial proposals was the possibility of spinning off the Chrome browser and the Android operating system from Google, as well as less invasive suggestions such as banning certain contractual terms and requiring licenses for some of its data. A more detailed version of these proposals is expected from the DOJ in the coming days.

Should Google be dismantled, some employees could face drastic changes in their jobs or even lose them. However, AWU members claim that the company has discouraged workers from expressing their concerns about the future of the company. Earlier this year, the union filed an unfair labor practices charge with the National Labor Relations Board after a senior executive requested that employees refrain from mentioning the case "both inside and outside the company."

Parul Koul, a software engineer and president of the AWU, warned that any remedy will be insufficient if workers continue to fear retaliation and cannot voice their concerns. Alan McAvinney, another software engineer at Google and the union's organizing president, noted that he has seen an increase in retaliation throughout his six years at the company.

Koul also pointed out that, given the direction the Google administration is taking and previous allegations from former employees, she is aware of the "inherent risk" of having these conversations and advocating for their rights. However, she asserted that it is crucial for their voices to be heard in this process, despite the fear they may experience.

Google employees understand that any DOJ proposal could impact their jobs, whether by changing their daily routines or altering the number of certain positions. Koul concluded that their approach stems from the belief that "decisions about us should not be made without us."