Google employees and unionization in Canada

Interview Summary

More than 200 employees at Google in Canada and the United States formed a union on Monday. This news has led to speculation on what a union could mean for big tech employers and what precedent it sets for employee rights.

Toronto employment lawyer and partner Jon Pinkus at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP joins Arlene Bynon on Global News Radio 640 Toronto to explore this new development.

Interview Notes

• Is it surprising that Google employees are trying to form a union: While the news does seem surprising, based on the conditions employees at Google have recently made the public aware of, it seems this could have been inevitable and potentially set a new precedent for employees working at other technology companies.
• Will this unionization mean changes for other tech companies: Employees in tech could be afforded the same rights as employees in other industries who are permitted to form unions.
• What can tech companies do to prevent unionization: Employers cannot try and interfere with employees’ right to form unions and organizing as it could potentially be seen as unfair labour practices. Employers should strive to improve the workplace for employees in order to make organizing unnecessary. These improvements can include changes to compensation, benefits, job security, etc.
• Was getting media coverage and job security for employees in the tech industry the goal for Google employees: For employees who are non-unionized, employers in any industry can terminate their employment for nearly any reason. Severance packages are the only remedy for the employees who are terminated. Non-unionized Google employees can get severance, up to as much as 24 months’ pay.
• Was the change in work culture for tech employees inevitable: In the last few years, there doesn’t seem to be any other industry that has undergone the same amount of attention and influence on the general public as the tech industry. Many tech employees are now in uncharted territory in terms of fighting for their rights.
• Will the union formed by Google employees be different in comparison to other unions due to the ethical responsibilities of working at the company: Unions can collectively help prevent employees from losing their employment in terms of reprisals if employees are protesting actions taken by their employer.
• What could other companies be thinking of while watching this situation unfold: The rate of unionization in the private sector is comparably small. The vast majority of workplaces are non-unionized. However, tech companies might be paying closer attention to this news.