Google’s new headquarters has been touted as one of the most innovative architectural designs in the world. From the outside, the four-building campus looks like a giant, modernist circus tent fashioned of glass and steel. On the ground, there are over a thousand men and women from Silicon Valley’s trade unions building this stunning structure, using the most cutting edge design, sustainability, safety, and construction practices. 

Local 393 members are playing a leadership role, with dozens of workers on site since the project broke ground in July of 2017. 

When Local 393’s union officers toured the site this February, they were thrilled with the design, coordination, and professionalism amongst the trades. Steve Flores, 393’s Business Manager said, “This is the gold standard of jobs with every union trade on the scene doing what we do best: getting the job done right with the highest level of craftsmanship, cooperation, and safety.” 

Everyone from the general contractor, Whiting-Turner, to the workers, says that the most striking part of the project is the coordination and sense of community throughout the workforce.

Whiting-Turner is using the “Lean Method,” a Japanese practice of working efficiently, eliminating waste, centering safety, and producing perfection. A key part of Lean is “pull planning,” in which all the individual crafts have a seat at the coordination table, rather than a top-down approach. Both Google and Whiting-Turner set out to make labor the tip of the spear rather than mere implementers. There’s a respect for union craftsmanship and ensuring that workers have what they need to succeed. This has created a culture of care, community, and working toward the common good.

Workers on site beam with pride. They all say this job is the height of their careers, whether they are a Local 393 36-year veteran like Paul Gonsalves who said, “It’s the platinum of plumbing,” or a 5th-year 393 apprentice like Miguel Gonzalez who said, “It’s a special honor and privilege to be working on something like this so young in my career, and to learn on a building so out of the ordinary.” 

Miguel went on to talk about how the job is a setting him up for a solid future. “I just got two special certifications: one is to operate a boom lift to install pipes up to 100 feet in the air, and the other is for going 30-40 feet below on the sump pumps,” he said. “But it’s more than the skills. Being a part of a union means a lot for my personal goals to be able to support a future family. After I turn out I want to buy a house.”

Ananta Adhikari, who is featured on the cover, is also a Local 393 5th-year apprentice. He concurred, “This job and being in the trades is the best thing in my life. There’s a perception that tradespeople aren’t smart, but that’s totally wrong. We have to think about health and safety, how to build strong, and how to keep the community safe.”

Safety has been part of the positive culture on the project. As of February 5, 2020, the trades had been on site for 849 days without a lost time accident. 

All the workers say one of the best parts about the project is the close camaraderie, including Ananta Adhikari. “Since this is a union job, all the men and women are part of the same brotherhood,” he said. “Even across the different trades. There’s no attitude, and we are all helping each other.”

4th-year plumbing apprentice Amanda Borja concurred, “Everyone is so welcoming. It’s been great to work side-by-side with guys with 20 years of experience to learn from them.”

Amanda was part of the massive crew that installed 4,000 geothermal piles, making the Google site the largest geothermal system in North America. There, the ground keeps water at a certain temperature to heat and cool the building. The roof will be covered with solar panels as well, adding to the green design.

The roof is the most striking design feature, and it took two years of planning, dozens of engineers, and 42 jacks to lift it into place. 

Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga of Mountain View, where Google is located, was quick to notice what all the workers feel: a sense of community. “It’s amazing to see working people taking care of each other,” she said. “I’m heartened by the fact that there are 1,100 men and women who enjoy working together and are making an impact on the region.”

The mayor put labor into perspective. “It’s about respect and good jobs to raise a family, and that’s what the trade unions do,” she said. “The workers are not only building this campus, but generating revenue and creating jobs for the whole economy.” 

Local 393’s members constructing Google’s HQ share a special feeling about the job. Amanda said, “We’re here to build something awesome and build it right. It’s going to be cool to say, ‘We made that.’” 

Ananta reflected about how this is the best of unionism. “Personally, I am really thankful to Local 393 and am learning so much on this job. I love what I’m doing here; it’s the best way to work, live, and build a strong union.”

Miguel summed it up when he said, “I can’t believe I’ve been part of it. Someday, when I take my friends, family, and future kids to see it, I’m going to tell them about the blood, sweat, and tears that went into this special project.” 

The Google job is truly one of a kind, and Local 393 members and all the workers will talk about it for the rest of their lives. Thank you to Whiting-Turner and Google for allowing us to photograph the crew. And a big shout-out to the 7,000+ construction workers and countless others who are making this groundbreaking job happen.