Google Can Challenge Joint Employer Status After NLRB Ruling (1)

The National Labor Relations Board ruled Google LLC illegally refused to bargain with its union representing writers and design analysts, a finding that will allow the tech giant to contest its workers’ union election and its joint-employer status in court.

A three-member NLRB panel said Wednesday that Google and subcontractor Accenture Flex must bargain with the Alphabet Workers Union-Communications Workers of America as joint employers. Google has argued that the company isn’t a direct employer of the Accenture employees and thus has no obligation to recognize their union.

An NLRB regional director certified the union election in 2023, which the ...