Covalen Staff to Strike Next Week Over Role Misclassification

BREAKING: Employees at the outsourcing firm Covalen are set to strike next Wednesday over allegations of misclassification of their roles. Approximately 70 workers in legal compliance operations will stage a full-day strike, establishing a picket line during both morning and evening shifts as they demand equitable pay for their specialized work.

The Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) is representing the striking employees, who argue that their roles as “community operations analysts” or “AI annotators” do not reflect the legal compliance responsibilities they fulfill for Meta, the parent company of Facebook. The dispute centers around significant salary discrepancies, with legal operations roles earning between €32,000 and €55,000, compared to the €29,700 to €35,000 range for their current classifications.

Workers conducted a survey to demonstrate the nature of their tasks and subsequently presented a petition to management, but reported receiving no response. Frustrated by the lack of action, they have chosen to pursue strike action, marking a pivotal moment in their ongoing fight for fair treatment. This decision is particularly notable given the increasing unionization of the 2,500-strong workforce at Covalen, which has historically seen little industrial action from tech project workers in Dublin.

In response to the strike notice, Covalen management insisted they are not “willfully misclassifying” roles. They acknowledged that while employees engage in legal compliance tasks, these do not necessitate a legal qualification. However, the striking workers maintain they perform duties equivalent to those of their better-paid counterparts, raising concerns about fairness and recognition in an organization heavily reliant on Meta’s business.

In addition to the strike, there are pressing concerns within Covalen regarding 420 roles at risk, primarily in AI-related projects. Employees are contesting the terms of redundancy outlined by the firm and are seeking further consultations, especially as hiring continues in areas where layoffs are taking place.

As this situation develops, the impact on employees and their fight for fair compensation is being closely monitored. The strike next week is poised to draw significant attention to labor conditions in the tech outsourcing sector, particularly as Covalen continues to navigate its relationship with Meta.

This unfolding story highlights the challenges faced by workers in the tech industry, emphasizing the need for clarity and fairness in job classifications and compensation structures. As the strike date approaches, all eyes will be on Covalen and its response to employee demands, signaling a potential shift in labor relations within the sector.