USW's Tentative First Contract with HCL Enhances Wages and Job Security

By CIOReview | Friday, July 30, 2021

USW's contract with HCL improves wages and job security.

FREMONT, CA: The United Steelworkers (USW) declares that the union has achieved a tentative deal with Google contractor HCL America, Inc. on behalf of approximately 65 Pittsburgh-based employees.

USW International President Tom Conway says, “the tentative agreement represents the hope of a bright future for workers seeking to organize unions to negotiate for better pay, benefits and working conditions, no matter what industry or occupation.”

“Nearly two years ago, HCL’s employees voted to organize and bargain collectively for a fair contract, and the company fought viciously against it for as long as it could,” Conway says. “Thanks to the solidarity and determination of these workers and the leadership of our committee, we have reached this important milestone of a first tentative agreement.”

Amanda Parks, a member of the USW negotiation committee and an employee of HCL, stated that the proposed contract addresses pay parity and includes considerable wage increases over its three-year period. It adds paid time off and incorporates critical contract language provisions to ensure job stability.

“In spite of the company’s best efforts to discourage participating in the union and to avoid negotiating in good faith, we remained united to make our voices heard and demand a fair contract,” says Renata Nelson, also a member of the committee. “We work hard, and we deserve what all workers deserve, an agreement that reflects our important contributions to the company’s success.”

Beginning in October 2020, the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) Region 6 issued a series of four amended, combined complaints against the corporation, detailing the company's failure to negotiate in good faith.

Among other alleged illegal acts, the NLRB asserted that HCL outsourced work from Pittsburgh to Krakow, Poland, retaliation for workers voting for union representation. The board sought to compel the corporation to restore its position to bargaining unit members.