25 September, 2019IndustriALL US affiliate United Steelworkers (USW) announced yesterday that they are welcoming around 80 tech workers employed by Google contractor HCL Technologies as new members. The HCL workers voted to join the union despite of a company-led anti-union campaign.
The HCL workers, who work alongside Google employees in Pittsburgh, voted for union representation to have a voice on the job and the opportunity to bargain over wages and working conditions. The successful vote comes off the back of union-busting campaign, which included mandatory meetings and the use of a controversial management consultant.
said HCL worker Joshua Borden.“We deserve more respect, dignity and democracy in our relationship with our employer. We fought for a seat at the table, and today we won. We look forward to bargaining a contract that reflects our important contributions to HCL’s continuing success.”
The organizing effort began earlier this year through the Pittsburgh Association of Technical Professionals (PATP), a project sponsored by the USW. The PATP’s primary goals include helping Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania workers in high-tech fields connect and communicate with each other about their working conditions, as well as providing support in organizing and collective bargaining.
said USW international president Thomas M. Conway“I’m honoured that HCL workers chose to join USW and our fight on behalf of all working people. They deserve to have their voices heard. Together, we’ll make sure that they are.”
IndustriALL general secretary Valter Sanches welcomes the union win:
“This is an important victory for organizing at major tech companies who use temporary workers. It is an important step in achieving the same rights and conditions for contract workers as for permanent employees."