Google Maps workers say they can't afford the office commute because of $5-a-gallon gas

• Google Maps contract workers are fighting a policy to make them work five days a week in the office.
• They say they can't afford the commute because of soaring gas prices and their low salaries.

Google Maps contract workers are fighting back against the tech giant's return-to-office drive, saying they can't afford the office commute because of soaring gas prices.

Around 200 workers for Google contractor Cognizant in Bothell, Washington, have been told they'll need to work in the office five days a week, The New York Times reported Monday.

According to The Times, roughly 60% of those workers signed a petition calling for managers to suspend the return-to-office plan. In their petition, the workers said the commute to the office would be unaffordable because of the soaring cost of fuel.

"Gas is around $5 per gallon currently, and many of us in the office are not able to afford to live close to the office due to our low salaries and the high cost of housing," the petition said, per The Times.

Gas prices soared to record highs in May. Investment bank JP Morgan projects the average price could hit $6 per gallon this summer.

The Google Maps workers' petition is being backed by the Alphabet Workers Union, a union representing employees at Google's parent company Alphabet.

The AWU said the contractors work with 911 operators to help them find the fastest route to emergencies, update Google Maps when there's a natural disaster, and keep tabs on traffic flow in key areas.

"These workers provide labor that is critical to Google Maps' success," the AWU said in a tweet.

Cognizant contract workers interviewed by The Times said they made between $16 and $28 an hour.

One worker on $19 per hour told The Times he planned to quit if the company pushed ahead with the return-to-office plan, because he would have to spend roughly 28% of his paycheck on gas.

"It is unacceptable that even though workers do such critical work, they are paid as little as $16-28 an hour," the AWU said. "It is also unacceptable that workers are being forced to return to office on June 6 even as thousands of full-time employees are able to ask for and receive work from home privileges."

Full-time Google employees now have to go into the office three days per week.

A Google spokesperson told The Times the health of all its workers, including contract workers, was a priority.

A Cognizant spokesperson told The Times: "The health and safety of our employees remains our top priority, and we require our employees to be vaccinated to return to our offices in the United States."

Google and Cognizant did not immediately respond when contacted by Insider for comment.