Google once stood for ‘Don’t be evil.’ Insiders describe how it spiraled into a culture of mistrust that helped build a union aiming to keep management in check.

• This week, a group of Google employees announced they had formed a union, escalating years of bristling tensions between employees and management.
• It’s open to both full-time workers and contractors, and it aims to tackle issues such as ethics and retaliation against employees.
• But it won’t be easy — Googlers are some of the best-paid workers in tech, the union is starting small — and it won’t have the power to bring management to the bargaining table.
• Are you a current or former Googler with more to share? You can contact this reporter securely using the encrypted messaging app Signal (+1-628-228-1836) or encrypted email ([email protected]). Reach out using a nonwork device.

In November 2019, Google fired four employees who were accused of breaching security and sharing confidential documents. The “Thanksgiving Four” – named for the timing of their ousting – had been involved in various protests at the company, including one over contracts with US Customs and Border Protection.

The “Four” argued that Google’s actions were a retaliation.

The dismissals came after months of rising tensions between top brass and rank-and-file employees inside Alphabet, the parent company of Google – and ultimately mobilized some workers to put together a more drastic counteroffensive.