The corporate headquarters complex of the American multinational technology company is known as the Googleplex.
While judges review subpoenas in a case that pits workers against the company, former employees are highlighting the tension between the two sides.
The three ex-employees are accusing their former employer of firing them for protesting a cloud deal they signed with the Trump administration.
The complaint states that when they were hired by the company, they were asked to sign a contract that included the company's slogan "Don't be evil." They are asking for compensation and other relief for the damage done to their reputation and ability to be reemployed.
The company has over $140 billion in cash and equivalents on its balance sheet and a market cap of over $1 trillion. The company has prided itself on a culture of openness and inclusivity, but a string of employee walkouts, internal battles over how the company uses its artificial intelligence technology and lawsuits related to treatment of its workforce present a potentially severe strain on the company.
In December of last year, the U.S. National Labor Relations Board filed a complaint against the company, accusing them of illegally firing and surveilled employees in order to retaliate against them for unionizing. The trial has been paused for the last couple of months while judges review subpoenas, and it is not clear when it will resume.
The lawyer representing the former employees who sued said the latest suit is meant to serve as a reminder that this is still alive and kicking.
A person who answered the request for comment did not reply.
The judge in the case of the National Labor Relations Board ordered that more than 70 documents relating to the company's dealings with IRI Consultants be un-released. The legal documents show that Iri was hired by the National Labor Relations Board as part of the anti-union effort.
The company was dishonest and tried to make the documents look different, according to the response issued by the company.
The facial appearance of privileged communications was the subject of the review. Many of the documents are related to the development of campaign materials in which IRI provides antiunion messaging and message amplification strategies and training tailored to the Respondent's workforce and the news and social media environment.
More than 800 people are members of the Alphabet Workers Union. The union represents less than 1% of the company's total workforce, but is showing it intends to be active and vocal. It supported the workers of Adecco, who won a fight against the firm and the company after they lost out on a bonus program for temp workers in data centers.
The New York Times reported last month that a temp worker at a data center in Iowa said the union strengthened his resolve to fight.
The January return-to-work plan has been delayed.
