Union-busters help IT companies manage conflicts

BENGALURU: Google contractor HCL TechnologiesNSE -0.09 % had enlisted management consultant Eric Vanetti of Vantage Point Alliance to “create awareness” among employees to cast their votes against unionisation. Vanetti’s Twitter bio read that he’s an expert in workforce solutions and union avoidance.

In a show of strength leading up to employee’s vote in September, North America-based labour union — United Steelworkers (USW) — welcomed 80 tech workers employed by Google contractor HCL Technologies who voted in favour of unionisation that opened an opportunity to bargain over better wages and working conditions.

In fact, USW had criticised HCL for allegedly coercing employees into mandatory meetings aimed at defeating workers’ campaign to organise a union.