The Communications Workers of America have filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge on their behalf.
This week, the Communications Workers of America filed a second Unfair Labor Practice charge against Apple. This time, the labor union accuses the tech behemoth of breaking multiple federal labor laws at its flagship World Trade Center location. According to the complaint, Apple questioned employees at the WTC store about their “protected concerted activities.” Apple is also accused of monitoring those activities, or of making employees believe they were being watched. According to the group’s filing, those incidents occurred on or around May 3rd.
By May 15th, the group claimed that Apple had “illegally implemented” a rule at the store prohibiting employees from posting union flyers in work areas during their breaks. Furthermore, it accuses the tech titan of giving “captive-audience” speeches.
- Apple, Google, and Microsoft have pledged to implement ‘end-to-end’ password-free sign-ins.
- iPhone owners in the United States can now use Apple’s Self Service Repair service.
Earlier this year, Apple Store workers across the US started planning to unionize in an effort to get the company to increase their pay, which they claim isn’t keeping up with the cost of living. Apple reportedly hired anti-union law firm Littler Mendelson, which counts Starbucks and McDonald’s as clients, in response. According to a Motherboard report, the company also recently started arming its Store managers with anti-union talking points. They were apparently instructed to tell employees that they could lose career opportunities, as well as personal time off and work flexibility, if they join a union.
The Communications Workers of America also filed an Unfair Labor Practice complaint against Apple on behalf of workers at the Cumberland Mall store on May 17th. In it, the group accused the company of holding mandatory captive audience meetings regarding the upcoming union election for the Atlanta location that’s scheduled to take place in early June.
Tim Dubnau, CWA’s Deputy Organizing Director, said:
“Apple retail workers across the country are demanding a voice on the job and a seat at the table. Unfortunately, and in contradiction to its stated values, Apple has responded like a typical American corporation with heavy-handed tactics designed to intimidate and coerce workers. The best thing Apple can do is allow workers to choose for themselves whether or not they want a union. When we learn of situations where Apple is violating labor law, we intend to hold the company accountable and help the workers defend their rights under the law.”
