Google DeepMind Unionization Talks Are Off to a Rocky Start

20 days ago

Unionization negotiations between Google DeepMind and its London employees have stalled, with union representatives feeling their time was wasted due to the absence of senior management at an initial meeting.
DeepMind employees allege that Google has attempted to suppress open dialog by shutting down internal chat venues and reprimanding staff, which they describe as union-busting techniques.
The push to unionize began in February 2025 after Alphabet removed a pledge from its ethics guidelines against using AI for weapons development and surveillance, raising concerns among employees about AI militarization.
Google has entered into deals with the Pentagon and other government agencies for AI use in national security, defended as supporting lawful purposes while committing to avoid domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weaponry without human oversight.
If negotiations do not progress, union representatives plan to seek arbitration to force Google to recognize the unions, though they hope for an amicable agreement with concessions from both sides.

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