Google DeepMind Unionization Talks Are Off to a Rocky Start
Key takeaways
- In May, Deep Mind employees asked Google to recognize the Communication Workers Union and Unite the Union as joint representatives.
- An initial meeting on Wednesday was attended by union officers, DeepMind employees involved in the unionization push, the third-party arbitrator, and DeepMind HR representatives.
- “Recognition talks not being attended by senior management at the opening stage is a leading indicator that a company isn’t engaging in good faith.
Why this matters: a development in AI with implications for how people work, create, and decide.
Photograph: Chris Jung/Getty Images Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Negotiations between Google Deep Mind and its London-based employees over the possibility of unionization stumbled this week, after initial talks left union representatives feeling they had wasted their time, WIRED has learned.
In May, Deep Mind employees asked Google to recognize the Communication Workers Union and Unite the Union as joint representatives. The company later denied that request, but agreed to participate in negotiations arbitrated by a third-party body.
An initial meeting on Wednesday was attended by union officers, DeepMind employees involved in the unionization push, the third-party arbitrator, and DeepMind HR representatives. Those advocating for unionization were left frustrated by the absence of DeepMind leadership figures.