Workers at Google Express seek to unionize

More than 140 workers at Google Express have asked the Teamsters to represent them in negotiations for better working conditions.

The warehouse and shipping workers help process same-day deliveries for Google Express Services in Palo Alto, Calif. The workers seeking representation are employed by human resources company Adecco to work for Google Express.

"We have signed up a vast majority of the workers and we have made a demand on Adecco," said International Vice President and Local 853 principal officer Rome Aloise.

Adecco spokesperson Vannessa Almeida Adamo said that the company learned about the Palo Alto, Calif. workers' petition for representation election this afternoon.

"While we typically don’t comment on active legal matters and have not had a chance to review the petition, we have not received complaints or reports on the type of conditions that were cited," she said. "We are fully committed to ensuring that all of our offices, branches and client assignment sites are safe environments for our colleagues and associates."

Google Express workers are seeking improved wages, working conditions and workplace treatment, Aloise said. Workers say they have been harassed to work faster in poor conditions with damaged equipment, cracked floors and failing electrical systems that have resulted in fires.

They also are upset over Adecco's short-term employment agreements that require workers to leave after two years, he said.

"The biggest thing is they tell them when come to work only they are only going to be there two years and after two years we’re going to get rid of you," Aloise said. "They still haven’t gotten a decent explanation about why that’s something they are doing. There's bad working conditions and low wages of $13 or $14 an hour."

The Google Express workers' request for union representation expands organized labor's Silicon Valley push over recent months.

Facebook shuttle drivers voted to join the union in November 2014 and reached a contract in February. The Teamsters began organizing the Silicon Valley bus drivers last fall after extensive coverage from USA TODAY brought to light tough working conditions.

Since then, shuttle drivers who transport employees at other tech giants including Apple, eBay and Yahoo have opted to unionize.

Google and Apple  have also brought onto their payroll hundreds of security workers who previously were supplied by contractors. Hiring the workers give them benefits and perks that full-fledged employees get.

Adecco could recognize the request, but usually a National Labor Relations Board vote of workers is required. That vote is expected in the next three to four weeks, Aloise said.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider