Google workers in 10 countries form union alliance: 'We will hold Alphabet accountable'

Workers at Google's parent company Alphabet from across the globe are banding together in one big union.

The new coalition, called Alpha Global, consists of 13 unions representing Alphabet workers in 10 countries, including the U.S., UK, Germany, Switzerland and Sweden. The coalition was formed in coordination with global union federation UNI Global Union, which has 20 million members.

Alpha Global issued a statement saying its goal is to "see a world in which Alphabet respects human and labour rights across its global operations and supply chain."

The statement says Alphabet is a "major incubator of innovations" and a "technology leader." However, it is also "a creator of inequalities, implicated in sexual harassment and oppression of sexual minorities and people of colour."

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"Alphabet has long lost its commitment of “Don’t be evil,” but we haven’t. Together, we will hold Alphabet accountable. Together, we will change Alphabet," the statement reads.

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Mashable has contacted Google for a comment. We'll update the story when we hear back.

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The news comes just weeks after several hundred Google workers in the U.S. and Canada formed the Alphabet Workers Union.

The newly formed Alpha Global says it will fight for the rights of both direct Alphabet employees, as well as temporary, vendor and contract workers. It will also call on NGOs, governments, stakeholders and investors to enforce the rights of Alphabet workers.

However, as The Verge points out, the coalition currently doesn't have a legally binding agreement with Alphabet, meaning its negotiating power won't be very strong, at least for now.

UPDATE: Jan. 26, 2021, 8:34 a.m. CET “We've always worked hard to create a supportive and rewarding workplace. We'll continue engaging directly with all our employees,” a Google spokesperson told Mashable in an e-mailed statement.