Google workers delivered a petition to CEO Sundar Pichai on Thursday demanding layoff protections and guaranteed severance as the company pivots spending toward artificial intelligence. Led by the Alphabet Workers Union, the petition carries over 4,500 signatures from employees protesting workforce cuts despite Google’s $4 trillion valuation, according to union president Parul Koul.
Alphabet Workers Union Demands Severance and Merit-Based Ratings
The Alphabet Workers Union is calling for a shift in how Google handles workforce reductions. Parul Koul, a Google software engineer, stated that the petition seeks guaranteed severance and the option to take severance as extended paid leave. The union also wants buyouts offered before mandatory layoffs occur across all product areas.
Beyond job security, the union is targeting the company’s internal evaluation systems. Members are asking Google to end performance ratings that they claim are based on achieving quotas rather than actual merit. Koul described the current cuts as “profit being put over the people that make this company run,” noting that the company’s valuation has quadrupled over the last six years.
Did you know? This petition represents the largest piece of employee feedback Google has received about job security, according to union president Parul Koul.
AI Investment vs. Workforce Reductions
Google is aggressively funding AI while simultaneously trimming staff. Alphabet CFO Anat Ashkenazi identified AI as a “key investment area” during the company’s latest earnings call, confirming plans to continue hiring and increasing marketing support for the technology.
However, internal cuts have been frequent. Business Insider reported that Google Cloud quietly laid off employees roughly two months ago. Additionally, a CNBC audio recording revealed that the company eliminated more than one-third of managers overseeing small teams last summer.
The tension is felt on the ground. Dan Freedman, a Google software engineer working on AI tools for designers, told reporters he fears he could be replaced by the very tools he helps build. He noted that after AI was added to his job requirements, he began worrying if he wasn’t using the technology enough to remain indispensable.
Comparing AI-Driven Layoffs Across Big Tech
Google is not the only firm facing employee backlash over AI-related staffing changes. Several tech giants have explicitly linked workforce reductions to AI efficiency or investment shifts.
| Company | Reported Impact | Stated Reason/Context |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | ~4,800 jobs (2.1%) | Investment in AI; mostly Xbox division |
| Oracle | ~21,000 employees | Annual report cites AI deployment |
| Block | ~4,000 employees | CEO Jack Dorsey cited AI efficiency |
| Meta | ~8,000 employees | Workforce reduction earlier this year |
Legal Challenges Over AI Termination Tools
The use of AI to manage people has moved into the courts. Dozens of Meta employees sued the company, alleging that AI tools were used to tag workers for mass layoffs. The plaintiffs claim these tools targeted individuals who had requested disability accommodations, maternity leave, or other protected leave. Meta disputed these claims, stating in a spokesperson’s statement that the allegations “lack merit and are not based on facts.”
The Future of Labor Relations in the AI Era
The Alphabet Workers Union has seen some success, including voluntary exit packages for more than 70,000 workers. However, Koul says the union has previously organized hundreds of employees across the country to no avail, leading to the in-person demonstration at the California headquarters.
While the CEO of the company’s DeepMind division previously told Wired that companies attempting to replace developers with AI “have a lack of imagination,” the financial data suggests a different trend. The shift from human-led management to AI-driven efficiency is creating a new friction point between executive profit goals and employee stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Google workers asking for in their petition?
They are requesting guaranteed severance, buyouts before mandatory layoffs, the option to take severance as paid leave, and an end to quota-based performance ratings.
Is Google using AI to replace workers?
Google has not commented on whether AI is directly causing layoffs, though it has cut staff in Google Cloud and among mid-level managers while increasing AI investment.
Which other tech companies are cutting staff due to AI?
Microsoft, Oracle, and Block have all announced cuts or cited AI deployment and efficiency as reasons for workforce reductions.
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