Employees at the Apple Store in Towson, Maryland, have made history by becoming the first in the United States to unionize. They have recently voted to authorize a strike as negotiations for their initial contract hit a roadblock.
These employees could potentially be the first to strike at an Apple retail store.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Organized Retail Employees Coalition (IAM Core) represents 100 Apple Store employees who won the union election in May 2022. This group consists of workers from two Apple Stores in the US – one in Towson and the other in Oklahoma City.
David DiMaria, the lead organizer for the Towson Apple Store Machinists Union, mentioned that the strike authorization vote is a necessary step before a final decision on striking is made.
DiMaria expressed hope for constructive negotiations with the company, emphasizing the importance of adhering to federal labor laws and the company’s code of conduct. Unfortunately, progress has been minimal in the past year.
A survey conducted earlier this year revealed concerns about worker rights at Apple, including allegations of retaliation against unionization efforts and the use of consultants to deter unions.
Workers are seeking better wages, improved work-life balance, and fair scheduling in their initial contracts. While some agreements have been reached, key issues remain unresolved.
Apple’s actions have come under scrutiny, as they seem to contradict their own policies on workers’ rights and human rights. The workers stress the importance of compliance with the law.
As union activities grow within Apple, the company faces multiple complaints of unfair labor practices filed with the National Labor Relations Board due to anti-union actions.
Several complaints have been filed, including allegations of benefits discrimination against union members and illegal actions at Apple Store locations.
In response to the strike vote, an Apple spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to its retail team members and acknowledged the ongoing negotiations with the union. They denied the allegations of unfair labor practices and pledged to cooperate with the NLRB.
Source: www.theguardian.com
