Employees at an Apple Store in Towson, Maryland, who were the first to form a union, have now potentially voted to go on strike.
The vote took place late Saturday and was announced by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers' Coalition of Organized Retail Employees, representing these workers.
This move marks a significant step in their ongoing dispute with the tech giant over workplace issues.
Workers Authorize Strike at Unionized Apple Store
Employees at an Apple Store in the Baltimore suburbs who had previously voted to unionize have now authorized a strike. As reported by the union, this decision comes after more than a year of unsatisfactory negotiations with Apple management. No date has been set for the potential strike.
The workers, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers' Coalition of Organized Retail Employees, are pushing for changes to what they describe as "unpredictable" work schedules and wages that reflect the local cost of living.
In response, Apple issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to its employees. "We deeply value our team members and are proud to provide them with industry-leading compensation and exceptional benefits," a spokesperson said.
Apple also affirmed its intention to continue respectful and good-faith negotiations with the union representatives in Towson.
This development is part of a broader movement across the U.S. retail, service, and tech industries, where workers are increasingly organizing for better workplace protections and benefits.
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Negotiations between unionized workers at the Towson Apple Store and the company have led to tentative agreements on 25 topics, including grievance procedures, retirement benefits, and severance packages, as announced by the union. These talks began in January 2023.
However, a union official reported to The Washington Post that discussions had hit a roadblock on crucial financial issues such as wages, overtime, and work schedules.
The union has also accused Apple of unfairly withholding benefits from union members-benefits that are available to employees at non-union stores. This dispute has resulted in multiple federal charges against Apple for alleged labor law violations.
Both parties are scheduled to resume negotiations on May 21. "This vote today is the first step in demonstrating our solidarity and sends a clear message to Apple," stated the union's negotiating committee on Saturday, emphasizing their commitment to secure meaningful improvements for all employees.
In response, an Apple spokeswoman said on Sunday that the company strives to provide an excellent working environment for its retail staff and is committed to engaging respectfully and in good faith with the union in Towson. The only other Apple store in the country that has unionized is in Oklahoma City.
Short Hills Apple Store Workers Reject Union
Meanwhile, according to National Labor Relations Board results, Employees at the Apple Store in Short Hills, New Jersey, voted 57-41 against joining the Communication Workers of America (CWA) union.
This vote marks the first union election at an Apple store since similar votes in Maryland and Oklahoma in 2022.
Recently, the CWA has canceled several union votes at other stores and accused Apple of discouraging union activities. Apple, which claims to provide top-tier pay and benefits, has not responded to requests for comment regarding the election.
The CWA, which also has not commented, can challenge the election results within five days because of unfair practices. Additionally, the union recently accused Apple of retaliating against a union campaign leader in Short Hills by denying his leave requests and increasing managerial interactions.
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