(South Carolina, US)—The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has reached a significant settlement on behalf of Tuesday Carne, a Google Data Center worker who was unlawfully fired for engaging in discussions about wages. The resolution comes as a result of Carne's termination after she raised concerns about holiday pay during a biweekly meeting with employees and management. In her termination letter, Carne was unjustly labeled as "un-Googley," a vaguely defined term commonly used within Google to imply a 'bad attitude’. On Wednesday, December 1, 2021, the Alphabet Workers Union-CWA (AWU-CWA) filed an Unfair Labor Practice Charge on behalf of Tuesday Carne.

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Under the terms of the settlement, Tuesday Carne will be awarded front pay and back pay, effectively rectifying the financial impact caused by her wrongful termination. Additionally, both Google and Modis, a subcontractor for Google, have been compelled to publicly acknowledge their wrongdoing in this specific instance of illegal termination.

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“I’m elated that Modis and Google are forced to take accountability for their decision to terminate me, because not only did it cause me an enormous financial burden that I wasn’t prepared for, but it initially made me feel a certain shame for simply speaking up for myself. This settlement just solidifies what I’ve already since realized—we all have a voice and we should use it. I encourage all Alphabet workers to exercise their right to organize and speak up about their working conditions on the job,” said Tuesday Carne, former Google Data Center worker and member of the Alphabet Workers Union-CWA. 

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Carne's recent victory is part of a larger trend of successful worker organizing at Modis at Google Data Centers across the country. In February 2021, Shannon Wait faced suspension after raising concerns about working conditions. With the support of AWU-CWA, Wait also filed a ULP against Modis and Google, ultimately reclaiming her job. Furthermore, in October 2021, Modis workers were informed that their weekly attendance bonus of $200, received during the COVID pandemic, would be discontinued. Through a successful organizing effort, workers successfully regained their missing payments in November, which amounted to tens of thousands of dollars.

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The NLRB's recent resolution sends a clear message that retaliating against employees for discussing their wages is a violation of workers' rights and will not be tolerated. The Alphabet Workers Union-CWA stands in solidarity with Tuesday Carne and all workers who seek fair pay for their labor and a protected voice on the job. 

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‍Alphabet Workers Union-CWA unites over 1,400 full-time employees, temporary employees, vendors and contractors at Google and other Alphabet companies in the United States and Canada in collective action to ensure that our workplace is equitable and that Alphabet acts ethically. We are members of Communications Workers of America Local 9009. Learn more at alphabetworkersunion.org or follow us at @AlphabetWorkers.