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Apple hires union busting lawyers

by on26 April 2022


A much better idea than allowing staff to negotiate with management

Fruity and nutty cargo cult Apple has hired an anti-union law firm known for high-profile clients such as Starbucks, McDonald's and Nissan.

The Verge said that Apple decided to hire Littler Mendelson after 100 workers at Apple's retail location in Atlanta's Cumberland Mall petitioned the National Labor Relations Board last week to hold a union election.

Apple workers at the Atlanta retail store are hoping to join the Communications Workers of America. The CWA has played a significant role in organising tech industry workers, including its involvement in organising drives Activision Blizzard subsidiary Raven Software and Verizon Wireless.

The Cumberland Mall location is the first Apple Store to file to unionise in the US. Earlier this month workers at Apple's Grand Central location began collecting signatures to start a union. In reply, Apple has begun holding captive audience meetings, which are what US companies do when they want to put the fear of god into would be union organisers.

Hourly workers at Apple retail stores nationwide have complained of low pay, difficult working conditions and few opportunities for advancement. Many Apple employees were asked to work long hours or overtime during the pandemic, often at risk to their own health.

Despite making too much money, the wages of Apple’s retail employees have not kept pace with either Apple's growth or the country's ballooning inflation.

Apple insists that it loves its staff and “deeply values everything they bring to Apple.”

An Apple spokesperson said: “We are pleased to offer very strong compensation and benefits for full-time and part-time employees, including health care, tuition reimbursement, new parental leave, paid family leave, annual stock grants and many other benefits."

CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens said that by retaining Littler Mendelson, Apple's management is showing that they intend to try to prevent their employees from exercising their right to join a union by running the same playbook as other large corporations.

 

Last modified on 27 April 2022
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