YouTube contractors laid off amid bargaining efforts
TEXAS, UNITED STATES — A group of 43 YouTube Music contractors were abruptly laid off on Thursday while addressing the Austin City Council and urging support for their efforts to unionize and negotiate better pay and benefits.
The data analysts worked for global IT firm Cognizant, a subcontractor for Google which operates the popular YouTube platform. Cognizant provides services for YouTube Music’s 80 million premium subscribers.
The contractors unanimously voted to join the Alphabet Workers Union-CWA last April but claim parent company Google has refused to come to the bargaining table. National Labor Relations Board rulings state both Cognizant and Google qualify as joint employers.
“I was speechless, shocked. I didn’t know what to do. But angered, that was the main feeling,” said Jack Benedict, a YouTube data analyst who was addressing the city council, told The Washington Post.
The contractors called the layoffs “retaliation for unionizing.” However, Cognizant stated it was simply the end of a business contract.
The team is responsible for ensuring appropriate music content is available on the streaming platform. Workers currently have no sick pay or health benefits and earn as little as $19 per hour.
Despite the setback, the contractors remain determined to continue their fight for fair employment practices. “That [city council video] clip is circulating all over the place, and we’re seeing a lot of traction,” Benedict said. “We’re not just going to sit back and let them do this.”
This incident comes as tech giants like Google conduct major layoffs impacting thousands. It also highlights growing tensions over pay gaps between direct employees and contractors performing similar work.
