The Alphabet Workers Union - CWA stands in unwavering solidarity with our fellow workers at the United Auto Workers (UAW) who are currently on a historic strike, standing up not only for themselves, but for all workers. As tech workers, we remain committed to all labor movements, especially those tackling similar challenges. 

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Electric vehicles are transforming the automotive industry, and the UAW workers see this as an opportunity to advocate for reduced work hours while maintaining good union jobs to ensure a just transition that preserves wages and employment. We echo this sentiment as our own industry advances the use of artificial intelligence: AI should serve workers, not just the interests of management.

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Our union, like UAW, faces the challenge of organizing at a massive and sprawling employer. Auto corporations have relied on a two-tiered system of employment to manage its multiple supply chains and more. Tech companies like Alphabet have done the same, leaving contract workers with the short end of the stick. We share UAW’s core demand of ending the two-tier system within our own industry and find inspiration in UAW's organizing efforts, which provide an invaluable model for building worker power within large global corporations. 

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We, as Alphabet Workers Union-CWA, recognize that tech is just at the beginning stages of unionization. The UAW's historic union drives of the 1930s and 40s have always served as a beacon of inspiration, reminding us of the potential to transform a low-union membership industry into a stronghold of the labor movement. The renewed militancy of the UAW only reinforces our commitment to advancing our own organizing efforts. Moreover, the UAW's "Stand Up Strike" tactic offers an intriguing model for applying pressure on large and dispersed employers, such as Alphabet. While we have staged strikes ourselves, we are taking notes from the UAW and open to exploring more gradual mobilization approaches to enhance our worker power in the future.

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We extend our full support to the UAW strikers and commend their dedication to safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of workers. Together, we stand united in the struggle for a more equitable and just workplace, where technology benefits all and workers' voices are heard and respected. Solidarity forever!

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