Apple, which aggravated the working conditions with the pandemic period, faced a workers’ strike. According to Bloomberg’s Josh Eidelson, Apple Penn Square employees voted for union membership. Apple Store employees will unionize for better working conditions.
Located in Oklahoma City, the store became the second Apple retail location to form a union in the United States, after one in Towson, Maryland earlier this year. Employees reportedly voted 56 to 32 in favor of joining the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union, following an election open to all staff at the store this week.
Union move from Apple Store employees
Unionization will allow shop workers to bargain for better working conditions and other benefits through collective bargaining. The union is expected to be approved by the US National Labor Relations Board.
Earlier this week, Apple announced plans to offer additional educational benefits and better health insurance to retail employees in some states. However, it was announced that unionized employees at the Towson store would not have these benefits. Apple underlined that employees should contact the International Association of the Union, to which they are affiliated, regarding fringe benefits.
Things are complicated at Apple: Employee strike attempt!
The recent economic uncertainty all over the world is putting giant companies in trouble. Apple employees decide to strike in some regions.
Commenting on the unionization of Apple Penn Square employees, an Apple spokesperson said, “We believe that the open, direct and collaborative relationship we have with our valued team members is the best way to provide an excellent experience for our customers and teams. We pride ourselves on providing strong compensation and exceptional benefits to our team members. We’ve increased our start-up rates in the US by 45% since 2018, and we’ve made several significant improvements to our industry-leading benefits, including new education and family support programs.” made statements
Apple’s retail chief, Deirdre O’Brien, tried to dissuade store employees from unionizing in videos played during company meetings. However, Apple has been accused of anti-union tactics for the past few months. The vote to unionize at an Apple store in Atlanta was withdrawn earlier this year after Apple reportedly hinted that it would fire employees there.
Amid efforts to unionize, Apple has increased its start-up pay, improved benefits, and addressed several other workplace issues over the past year. It’s worth noting that Apple has more than 270 retail stores in the US and more than 520 worldwide.