Google calls off contract with YouTube Music team members protesting for better pay

livemint.com:

the Vergereported. Google contractor Cognizant was responsible for approving music content for YouTube Music. Over 40 employees of YouTube Music went on a strike in February last year, demanding changes to Google’s return-to-work policy.

According to the Alphabet Workers Union-CWA, many remote workers of the YouTube Music were paid as little as $19 an hour. Tech workers had a gloomy year; will things get better? However, Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini told The Verge that the decision to cut the team did not lie with them but, rather, with Cognizant. Meanwhile Cognizant chief communications officer has said that the team will get seven weeks of pay and opportunities to find another role within Cognizant.

Earlier Google argued that it should not be considered the employer of workers provided by staffing firm Cognizant Technology Solutions. However, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rejected claims by Google in January this year and said Google violated US labor law. Vice Media announces layoffs, changes in content distribution strategy NLRB ruled that because Google controlled benefits, hours of work, and the direction of the work of the contractors, it counted as a partial employer.

Google in a statement said it would ask a federal appeals court to review the ruling. Nike slashes workforce by 2% to tackle increasing competition A Youtube Music worker and member of the union had said Google and Cognizant have made various changes to working conditions without bargaining, including requiring workers to return to the office and removing sick pay. Fired from LinkedIn, woman gets job at Google at double salary The YouTube Music contractors are not the only ones fighting Google to recognize them as employees.