In an email obtained by Motherboard, Google tells YouTube Music workers it will “not be participating in collective bargaining.”
It is but Google doesn’t directly employ these workers. They’re subcontracted through another firm. Don’t get me wrong I hope they get everything they’re demanding, but I’m not sure Google has any legal obligation, or even the ability to make changes to their contract.
Almost certainly misclassified employees which is also illegal. But sadly something that is largely just… permitted and ignored.
The employees are not contractors, but it looks like they work for a firm which has been hired by Google. Reading a little further it does look like NLRB has found that Google is considered a joint employer and would be obligated to bargain. Which they’re not doing, I guess hoping for an appeal to go their way.