Global Google Strike: A Call to Arms Against Injustice
On Thursday, thousands of Google employees around the world joined a global strike, demanding greater transparency and accountability in the company’s handling of sexual harassment claims. The strike, which involved over 3,000 employees, was sparked by a series of allegations against Google executives, including a $90 million payout to a senior executive who had been accused of sexual assault.
A Long History of Allegations
The allegations against Google executives date back to 2013, when Andy Rubin, the “Android Father,” resigned after being accused of sexual assault. Despite an internal investigation, Rubin was transferred to the X Division and received a $90 million severance package, with monthly payments of $2 million. The New York Times reported that Rubin denied the allegations, claiming they were “exaggerated and false.”
Other allegations against Google executives include those against Richard de Waal, the head of Google’s Laboratory of Autopilot Cars. De Waal was accused of sexual harassment and was subsequently resigned from his position, but not without controversy. The company’s handling of these allegations has been criticized as inadequate, with many employees feeling that the company prioritizes the interests of its executives over those of its employees.
Five Core Demands
The seven Google employees who organized the strike have outlined five core demands:
- Termination of compulsory arbitration: The organizers demand that Google terminate the use of compulsory arbitration in cases of harassment and discrimination, ensuring that employees have the right to a fair and transparent process.
- Commitment to termination pay and equal opportunities: The organizers demand that Google commit to providing termination pay and equal opportunities to all employees, regardless of their background or identity.
- Sexual harassment transparency: The organizers demand that Google increase transparency in its handling of sexual harassment claims, including the release of reports on the number of allegations and the outcomes of investigations.
- Clear reports of sexual misconduct: The organizers demand that Google establish a clear and unified program for reporting and addressing sexual misconduct, ensuring that all employees feel safe and supported.
- Chief Diversity Officer reporting directly to the CEO: The organizers demand that Google appoint a Chief Diversity Officer who reports directly to the CEO, ensuring that diversity and inclusion are prioritized at the highest levels of the company.
A Call to Arms
The seven organizers of the strike, including Meredith Whittaker, Erica Anderson, Claire Stapleton, Tanuja Gupta, Celie O’Neil-Hart, Stephanie Parker, and Amr Gaber, believe that Google’s employees and contractors deserve a safe and inclusive work environment. They argue that the company’s handling of sexual harassment allegations has been inadequate and that the strike is a necessary step towards creating a more just and equitable workplace.
Support from the Top
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has expressed support for the strike, stating that the company will take a “tough stance” on sexual misconduct and that employees have the right to constructive suggestions on how to improve company policies and procedures. However, many employees remain skeptical, citing a lack of concrete action from the company.
A New Era for Google
As the strike continues, Google employees and contractors are demanding a new era of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. The strike has sparked a global conversation about the importance of creating a safe and supportive work environment, and the organizers believe that this is just the beginning of a long-overdue conversation about the future of Google and the tech industry as a whole.
Key Players
- Meredith Whittaker: A distinguished research scientist at New York University and co-founder of the AI Now Institute, Whittaker is a leading voice in the call for greater transparency and accountability in the tech industry.
- Erica Anderson: A software engineer at Google, Anderson has been involved in the production of the first Twitter town hall and has been a vocal advocate for greater transparency and accountability in the company.
- Claire Stapleton: A product marketing manager at YouTube, Stapleton has been a vocal critic of Google’s handling of sexual harassment allegations and has been a key organizer of the strike.
- Tanuja Gupta: A software engineer at Google, Gupta has been involved in the production of the first Twitter town hall and has been a vocal advocate for greater transparency and accountability in the company.
- Celie O’Neil-Hart: A marketing director at YouTube, O’Neil-Hart has been a vocal critic of Google’s handling of sexual harassment allegations and has been a key organizer of the strike.
- Stephanie Parker: A policy executive at YouTube, Parker has been a vocal advocate for greater transparency and accountability in the company.
- Amr Gaber: A software engineer at Google Cloud, Gaber has been a vocal critic of Google’s handling of sexual harassment allegations and has been a key organizer of the strike.