As a concerned community member, I call on Google contractor HCL America, Inc. to stop breaking the law and to bargain in good faith with the United HCL Workers of Pittsburgh to reach an agreement on a fair union contract.

On September 24, 2019, tech workers employed by the Google contractor HCL Technologies proudly announced their victory in winning their union election. About 80 employees came together seeking a voice on the job, forming the United HCL workers of Pittsburgh, affiliated with the United Steelworkers (USW).  

The workers are part of Google’s massive workforce of temps, vendors, and contractors (TVCs), who outnumber direct Google employees by about 20,000. Over the past year and a half, the United HCL Workers have worked tirelessly to negotiate a fair contract with HCL management.

On October 8, 2020, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a consolidated complaint against HCL America Inc. In the complaint, the NLRB outlines HCL’s failure to bargain in good faith by failing to provide information needed for bargaining and unilaterally changing working conditions.

The complaint also alleges that HCL moved work previously done by members of the United HCL Workers overseas, both in reprisal for workers forming their Union and as a way to discourage employees from further organizing efforts. “Most egregiously, HCL has been eroding its Pittsburgh workforce by brazenly moving work done here to its facility in Krakow, Poland,” said Josh Borden, who serves on the union’s Bargaining Committee. “Management would rather break the law than negotiate in good faith for a fair contract.”

The NLRB’s complaint alleges that HCL America, Inc. has committed acts that violate its client Google’s own Supplier Code of Conduct, which states that “workers will be permitted to associate freely, bargain collectively, and seek representation in accordance with local laws. Suppliers are expected to permit workers to openly communicate and share grievances with management about working conditions without fear of reprisal or harassment.”

Workers at HCL deserve the opportunity to bargain with their employer without fear of unlawful reprisals and unnecessary delays. I join with the United HCL Workers and their allies across the country to demand that HCL America, Inc. stop breaking the law!