The Communications Workers of America union has filed Unfair Labour Practice charges against Microsoft supplier Lionbridge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
In a post on the organisation's website, it claims that the company laid off a 160-person team at its Boise, Idaho office, allegedly due to workers at the office organising and bringing up problems related to working conditions. Lionbridge has previously worked as a QA supplier for Activision, which is now owned by Microsoft.
The CWA also claims that Lionbridge has offered staff severance packages that require them to sign a confidentiality agreement and waive certain rights.
The union also says that the company has a past history of union busting.
"In 2022, Microsoft adopted principles for engagement with worker organisations, which recognised workers’ legal rights to organise and expressed a belief in 'the importance of listening to our employees’ concerns'," the CWA wrote.
"This team of subcontracted workers and all US workers enjoy those same rights and protections. CWA expects Microsoft to hold its contractors to the same standards the company has set for itself, as stated in its principles."
In 2022, Microsoft signed a labour neutrality agreement with the CWA in 2022.