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More than 200 contractors working on Google’s artificial intelligence products say they were dismissed without warning last month, in what workers allege is part of a broader effort to silence protests over pay and conditions.
The roles were outsourced to GlobalLogic, a Hitachi-owned firm, and other staffing companies. Many raters, often with advanced degrees, were hired to refine chatbots such as Gemini and improve Google’s AI Overviews feature. Their tasks included editing, rewriting, and testing responses to make them more reliable and human-like.
Layoffs, low pay, and job insecurity
Andrew Lauzon, who joined GlobalLogic in March 2024, said he was terminated via email in mid-August. “I was just cut off,” he said. “I asked for a reason, and they said ramp-down on the project, whatever that means.”
Workers told Wired the dismissals highlight how precarious the work has become. “How are we supposed to feel secure in this employment when we know that we could go at any moment?” Lauzon asked.
Employees allege GlobalLogic has regularly reduced headcount while hiring new staff. Pay disparities have also fueled unrest, with “super raters” brought in through sub-contractors reportedly earning $18-$22 an hour compared to $28-$32 for those hired directly.
Generalist raters voiced similar frustrations. One worker, Alex, said she was assigned “more demanding” projects without meaningful pay increases. “We’re like the lifeguards on the beach. We’re there to make sure nothing bad happens,” she said.
Some staff believe they are training the very systems that will replace them. Internal documents reviewed by Wired suggest GlobalLogic is developing AI that could automate rating work, while continuing to mandate return-to-office policies affecting those with caregiving responsibilities or disabilities.
Union drive sparks retaliation claims
Dissatisfaction led contractors to begin organizing last year. By early 2024, a group of GlobalLogic raters aligned with the Alphabet Workers Union, with membership growing after a survey exposed pay and condition concerns.
Workers allege the company responded by banning use of internal social channels, previously a lifeline for remote staff. One, Faith Frontera, said the move stripped away community. “The social spaces helped us to feel less robotic and more human,” she said.
Ricardo Levario, a teacher-turned-super rater, was later fired after continuing to use the forums. He claims the dismissal came days after he filed a whistleblower complaint. Two other workers have filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging unfair termination linked to wage transparency and advocacy.
Google said the workers are employed by GlobalLogic or its subcontractors, not Alphabet. “As the employers, GlobalLogic and their subcontractors are responsible for the employment and working conditions of their employees,” spokesperson Courtenay Mencini said. GlobalLogic declined to comment.
