Over 200 Google Contractors Laid Off Amid Labor Disputes

Mountain View, California – More than 200 contractors who worked on improving Google‘s AI products, including the Gemini chatbot, were laid off last month, according to multiple sources.

The layoffs reportedly occurred in at least two rounds, leaving many workers shocked as the company cited a desire to ‘ramp down on the project’ without further explanation, according to those affected.

These contractors were employed through GlobalLogic, Hitachi‘s outsourcing company, which has been handling Google’s AI rating work, including editing chatbot responses. Workers allege that the layoffs are tied to ongoing disputes over pay and working conditions.

Andrew Lauzon, who was cut on August 15, expressed his disbelief: ‘I was just cut off. I asked for a reason, and they said ramp-down on the project—whatever that means.’ Lauzon began working at GlobalLogic in March 2024, contributing to AI outputs and creating prompts for the AI model.

Reports indicate that many contractors voiced concerns regarding job security and pay levels, as those hired directly by GlobalLogic earn between $28 to $32 per hour, while subcontracted workers were reportedly paid as little as $18 to $22 for similar tasks.

Workers still employed at GlobalLogic fear losing their jobs as the company appears to invest in automating the evaluation tasks previously handled by humans. Internal documents suggest the company is transitioning to AI systems that could eventually replace the very contractors trained to refine AI responses.

Several workers have taken steps to unionize, pushing for better wages and working conditions, although their efforts reportedly faced challenges. Two individuals have filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming they were unfairly terminated for advocating wage transparency.

A Google spokesperson stated, ‘These individuals are employees of GlobalLogic or their subcontractors, not Alphabet. We take our supplier relations seriously and audit the companies we work with for compliance.’ GlobalLogic declined to comment.

The discontent among contractors was exacerbated by a mandatory return-to-office policy in Texas, prompting complaints from employees unable to meet the requirement due to financial hardships or other responsibilities.

Labor researchers note that such treatment of contract workers is common across the industry, often leading to retaliation against those attempting to organize.

As the workforce remains tense, many employees are reluctant to voice their concerns, fearing termination. ‘It’s just been kind of [an] oppressive atmosphere,’ one worker said. ‘We can’t really organize—we’re afraid that if we talk we’re going to get fired or laid off.’