This archive report was first published on 26 November 2019.
On November 25, 2019, Google fired four employees for violating data security policies, sparking concerns of retaliation for worker organizing.
The firings came after a memo to employees titled 'Securing our data' was circulated, which sought to correct what it claimed was misinformation about the purported wrongdoing.
According to reports, the memo alleged that the wrongdoing involved 'systematic searches for other employees' materials and work.'
However, a Medium account connected to a massive walkout by Google employees last year argued that the four workers were fired in an attempt to crush efforts to organize staff.
'Four of our colleagues took a stand and organized for a better workplace,' read the post by Google Walkout for Real Change. 'When they did, Google retaliated against them.'
Authors of the post contended that Google policies on data security were tightened to provide cover for getting rid of workers involved in efforts to unionize.
Google, the money-making engine of parent company Alphabet, confirmed a copy of the note published by Bloomberg but declined to comment further.
