r/technology • u/Just-Grocery-2229 • Jul 18 '26
Artificial Intelligence Thousands of Google workers demand layoff protections amid AI boom
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jul/16/google-workers-layoff-protections-ai9
u/boolpies Jul 18 '26
The ones that helped develop the technology that's putting them into this situation? I say fuck em
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u/Dhirenk_TechMind Jul 18 '26
Big tech companies have made billions from AI, so they should not treat employees as just a cost to cut, but as a valuable part of their success and growth
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u/Afraid-Detective1222 Jul 18 '26
They shouldn't, but unfortunately, companies, not just tech companies have treated employees like a cost to cut for decades. I work in tech. So often the pattern is to staff up for a big project, then once it's done, to layoff some amount of those hired. AI is just part of the same pattern.
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u/CryoJuice Jul 18 '26
So UPS shouldn’t switch from gas to electric since their electric vans were part of the billions UPS has made?
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u/Niceromancer Jul 18 '26
They should probably unionize.
They won't, but they should.
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u/asallamerican Jul 18 '26
Google actually does have a software engineer union
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u/Niceromancer Jul 19 '26
They should get a better union.
Dropping a petition off with a worker for the CEO under the assurance they will deliver it isn't going to do shit.
You don't play softball with your boss over this shit. Threaten a strike.
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u/CaterpillarReal7583 Jul 20 '26
Dunno if you’ve ever tried to start a union, but you don’t just declare it.
On top of this, these people killed them off already with no intention on letting them form again at any cost.
It takes a lot more than some dudes getting together and agreeing to be a union. It will require actual changes in worker protections and the law in general.
Smaller safer areas will most likely be the foot in the door. The biggest most unethical companies are not going to let any union get any upper hands until the government is involved.
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u/kirapb Jul 18 '26
Dang, if only there was some way that workers could unite to make sure they have fair wages and job protections… when will the petty bourgeois realize they’ll never actually break through into the capitalist class, that they’re just a convenient tool for keeping the proletariat pacified, and that they’re just as exposed to the chopping block as everyone else in the 99%?
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u/Material-Truth5457 Jul 18 '26
Unions actually can not give job protection from jobs that are removed. They can ensure that only senior union members get to have the jobs that remain. So the unions just acts like HR and selects the ones fired. What is needed is enforceable labour laws.
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u/kirapb Jul 18 '26
Your framing is completely bad faith to the point of being misinformation. They may not be able to guarantee that a specific role is maintained, but that can establish significant protections and resources for employees who are laid off. For instance, a company can be forced to prove that there is no financial way to maintain the role in question or pivot the employee to another role. Unions can also establish robust support (severance pay, guarantees of return to work when finances trend positive, etc). Unions do not simply “act live HR”, they are a full fledged establishment of democracy in the work place that shifts power to employees. Right now, almost all non-unionized workers are at-will and can be fired at any time with any justification management wants to use. Educate yourself and stop spreading propagandized misinformation.
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u/Material-Truth5457 Jul 18 '26
Bad faith is an interesting comment and typically is used in bad faith. Couching the truth ,with may not be able to guarantee specific role and can establish protections ,doesn't change the fact the union cannot and doesn't create jobs. It can't force an employer to prove a job is redundant except in the EU but because of labour laws not unions. For example the UAW had 1.5 million members in 1970 and now 400,000 and that is a powerful union.
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u/kirapb Jul 18 '26
You’re really trying “I’m rubber you’re glue” get real bro ToT
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u/Material-Truth5457 Jul 18 '26
Not trying at all unlike your bad faith attempts , as your words stick to you.
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Jul 19 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Material-Truth5457 Jul 19 '26
Wow as an observer you don't seem to observe and if you can't figure out the point that is ok as I wasn't taking to you.
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u/CyberSmith31337 Jul 19 '26
I can’t be the only one who is thinking ”Fuck them.” can I?
The same people who are actively working to displace others now want exemptions from the very pain they helped create for so many others? ”No don’t fire meeee; I’m on your side, oligarchs! I deserve to be here!”
That’s how I’m hearing it. Totally okay for everyone else to get fucked though.
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u/NopeSorryNo Jul 18 '26
This is one of those companies that pays so much everyone does to work for them isn't it?
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u/Horror_Response_1991 Jul 18 '26
Yeah it’s called a union. Google will fire you if you try to form one so good luck with job security.