Workers at a Maryland Apple store authorize strike | TechCrunch

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses recent union organizing efforts at Apple retail stores in the United States, including a vote to authorize a strike at one store and a failed unionization attempt at another store.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Union Organizing Efforts at Apple Stores

1. What are the key details about the union organizing efforts at Apple stores?

• Workers at the Towson, Maryland Apple store, which was the first to formally recognize a union, voted to authorize a strike. The strike date has not been determined yet.
• The union, which is part of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), is negotiating with Apple over issues like work-life balance, unpredictable scheduling, and wages.
• A vote to unionize the Short Hills, New Jersey Apple store with the Communication Workers of America (CWA) failed.
• The CWA had filed an unfair labor practice charge against Apple, alleging retaliation against a union organizer at the Short Hills store.
• The National Labor Relations Board ruled that Apple violated federal labor laws in 2022 by confiscating union flyers and interrogating staff about unionizing efforts at the Apple store in New York's World Trade Center.

2. What is Apple's response to the union organizing efforts?

• Apple stated that they "deeply value our team members and we're proud to provide them with industry leading compensation and exceptional benefits."
• Apple said they will engage with the union representing the Towson store "respectfully and in good faith."