Maryland-based Apple Store employees determine to sanction walkout.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (IAM CORE), the labor union representing the workers, announced in a statement that the recent vote "highlights the dissatisfaction among employees regarding unresolved workplace issues." The employees at the Apple store in Towson, a suburb of Baltimore, have been negotiating with management over various concerns, including inconsistent scheduling and wages that don't match the local cost of living, since last year.
Members of the union's negotiating committee said in a statement on Saturday, "This vote today represents the first step in displaying our unity and conveys a strong message to Apple. The approval of the strike authorization vote emphasizes IAM CORE's persistent dedication to standing up for workers' rights and well-being in the face of adversity." Apple has not yet commented on the news. The union has not revealed the planned date for any potential strikes.
On the other hand, a vote to unionize at the Apple store in the Mall at Short Hills in New Jersey was unsuccessful over the weekend. Bloomberg reported that the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union accused Apple of engaging in illegal union-busting practices and attributed the defeat to Apple's interference.
"Apple has disregarded the workers' right to decide for themselves and relied on its typical anti-union strategy to manipulate the election results," CWA stated in a release to Bloomberg.
Labor Uproar
The recent labor troubles facing Apple and its retail stores contribute to the numerous challenges the tech giant is currently experiencing, including regulatory scrutiny in Washington, declining sales in China, and a misfired iPad advertisement.
The National Labor Relations Board recently upheld a decision alleging union-busting efforts by Apple in New York City.
The labor disputes involving Apple's stores are a reflection of the widespread labor upheaval sweeping through the United States. As Apple grew to become the world's first $3 trillion company, the tight labor market resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic exposed the labor problems and inequalities facing workers in stores and warehouses.
"It speaks to a growing dissatisfaction among workers and a contagion in labor activity, in which one group of workers encourages others to take action," explained Kate Bronfenbrenner, director of Labor Education Research at Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations to CNN previously.
CNN's Ramishah Maruf contributed to this report.
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The tech giant, Apple, is also grappling with business-related issues due to the labor upheaval in its retail stores. This includes the potential strikes authorized by IAM CORE at several Apple stores, such as the one in Towson, Maryland.
The ongoing labor disputes in the tech industry, including at Apple, are attracting the attention of regulatory bodies, such as the National Labor Relations Board, which has previously accused Apple of union-busting.
Source: edition.cnn.com
