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Part of the reason for this may be because Google in fact pushed the NLRB to disallow organizing activity on internal emails! https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/18/21028033/google-labor-bo...


Aha! Wasn't aware of this rule change. Wonder how they'll garner the votes they need to fully form the union without internal rabblerousing digitally, and with offices being closed.

Is it legal for a union to use employee info directories to contact employees outside of corp comms?


I've rarely found an employee directory that would contain people's personal email addresses. They might be stuck with calling people on the phone or something.

Which might be for the best: Google controls probably nearly every employee's personal email address too!


A good chunk of Google employees don't have a 'personal' phone. They use test android devices, or work-provided phones and plans. Google even has an internal program to migrate your personal phone number onto a corporate device.

Calls between employees will be video conferences over google servers anyway - nobody goes typing old fashioned phone numbers anymore...


Why would you ever want to migrate your personal line to a work owned device?


So you don't have to carry two devices with you. Especially relevant for people who need to be contactable outside regular hours.

Also means work pays for the device, gives you a new one every year, and pays for and organises the data plan including worldwide roaming.

If you break it, they give you a new one in 5 minutes rather than haggling with an insurance company taking weeks...

It's a pretty sweet deal if you trust your employer.


And with the lack of this union's formal status, Google probably could get away with behaviors which interfere with the use of Gmail, Fi, Voice, and Meet services used to organize this union without significant penalty.




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