The union representing Google employees is demanding the tech giant lift an illegal “gag order” that prohibits it from discussing a landmark antitrust case that could transform the company's business. are.
On August 5, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google is a “monopolist” that illegally controls the online search market.
The same day, Kent Walker, Google's president of international affairs, instructed employees not to comment on the incident inside or outside of the workplace.
According to a copy of an Aug. 15 filing obtained by the newspaper, the Alphabet union alleges Walker issued “excessive board directives” aimed at “suppressing worker speech” related to the antitrust fight. It alleges violations of federal labor law.
“Our employer is committed to communicating with co-workers about working conditions, ranging from federal labor laws and proposed federal antitrust remedies that could impact much of our work at Google. There continues to be a blatant disregard for the right to dialogue,” Parul Khor said. Software engineer at Google and president of the Alphabet union.
Mehta is expected to decide on a rescue plan to address Google's search monopoly by next summer.
The Justice Department recently suggested it may seek to break up Google by forcing it to sell parts of its business, including its Chrome web browser.
Google rejected the union's lawsuit.
“We respect Googlers' right to speak about the terms of their employment,” Google spokesperson Peter Schottenfels said in a statement. “As is standard practice, we simply ask our employees not to discuss ongoing litigation on behalf of Google without prior approval.”
First reported by The Verge Regarding complaints.
The labor charges are the latest sign of discord between Google and its employees. In April, the tech giant fired dozens of employees who participated in anti-Israel sit-ins at its offices.
A separate Justice Department antitrust case targeting Google's alleged monopoly over digital advertising technology is also underway. Closing arguments in the case are scheduled to begin next month.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai acknowledged that the company will likely be tied up in court for years as it fights the lawsuit.
“It is important that workers are included and that our voices and interests are considered in the decision-making process surrounding antitrust remedies,” the Alphabet union said in a lengthy statement.
“That hasn't happened yet,” the union added.
Google vowed to appeal the judge's ruling and pushed back on the Justice Department's proposed remedies as a “radical” framework that “goes far beyond the specific legal issues of this case.”
