Alphabet Inc.’s Google is under scrutiny following its decision to terminate 28 employees who participated in protests against Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion contract with Amazon and the Israeli government. The project provides AI and cloud services, sparking criticism over its potential military applications.
The demonstrations, led by the No Tech for Apartheid organization, took place across Google offices in New York City, Seattle, and Sunnyvale, California. Protesters staged a 10-hour sit-in, livestreamed on Twitch, and nine were arrested for trespassing.
The Aftermath
Following the protests, Google placed several employees on leave before officially terminating their employment. Affected employees received emails from the company’s Employee Relations group stating the matter would remain “as confidential as possible.” By Wednesday evening, the workers were informed of their dismissal.
In a statement, Google defended its actions:
“Physically impeding other employees’ work and preventing them from accessing our facilities is a clear violation of our policies. After refusing multiple requests to leave, law enforcement was engaged to ensure office safety. We concluded individual investigations that resulted in the termination of employment for 28 employees.”
Project Nimbus and Its Implications
The protests coincided with the Israeli government’s approval of a five-year plan to transition to cloud technology under Project Nimbus. While Google maintains the contract does not involve classified or military workloads, its ties to Israel’s Defense Ministry and military have raised concerns among critics.
Google employees have a history of activism, from a 2018 walkout over handling sexual assault allegations to protests against the company’s work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. However, workers involved in such movements often face severe repercussions, including termination.
Labor Rights and Activism
John Logan, a labor professor at San Francisco State University, highlighted the unique challenges tech workers face:
“Tech workers are not like other kinds of workers. Having a say or the ability to protest how their work product is used is a key issue.”
Despite Google’s reputation for fostering open debate, Logan noted that the company often responds harshly to labor activism.
Divided Workplace
The sit-in also sparked internal tensions, with Google’s internal forums flooded with pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli posts. Some employees argued that discussions on the Middle East conflict were inappropriate for the workplace, prompting moderators to lock threads after debates became heated.
Growing Support for the Movement
Despite Google’s crackdown, support for No Tech for Apartheid has grown. One dismissed employee shared, “The movement has only gained momentum. People are realizing the importance of standing up for ethical tech practices.”
As Project Nimbus continues to face criticism, Google’s handling of the protests has intensified debates on corporate ethics, worker rights, and the responsibilities of tech giants in addressing global conflicts.
