Apple Workers at Maryland Store Vote to Unionize: A First in the U.S.
After employees at the Apple store in Rockville, Maryland voted to unionize, it’s reported that it’s the first time an Apple store has voted to unionize in the United States. However, this isn’t the first time that an Apple store has been part of an effort to unionize; Apple store employees in New York City voted to join the Retail.
Why would people working at an Apple store want to unionize?
Over the last few years, labor advocates have stepped up their campaign against Apple, a company that they say is lagging behind its peers on workers’ rights. Apple has been accused of excessively monitoring employee activities and responding punitively when workers bring up concerns about working conditions or discrimination.
Why is it a big deal if they vote yes?
Imagine a world where people don’t have to work 16 hour days and still barely afford their rent. Imagine a world where human rights are respected and paid fairly, no matter what you choose as your job.
What does this mean for other tech stores?
While Apple had been fighting for a vote by its employees since 2011, it’s unclear what effect an organized workforce could have on other Silicon Valley companies like Google and Facebook—or even other tech giants such as Amazon and Microsoft. But if unions make headway against these powerful players, it could create new opportunities for labor unions across many industries. Experts will be watching closely to see how these big businesses react—and what happens next when workers go up against Silicon Valley’s elite.
What does this mean for other retail stores?
Retail workers (not just those at Apple) have been fighting for unions for some time now, but with little success. So what changed? The answer is simple: They had an organized plan and they stuck to it.
How can you protect your employees?
You might be legally obligated to treat your employees fairly and with respect, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn how to communicate better with them about their concerns. In some cases, it can even help you retain good workers who feel like they’re not being heard by management.
Will you be following suit?
Well, it’s taken a long time for any technology company workers to unionize, but despite some vocal opposition from within Apple and its rabid fanbase, Tim Cook & Co. may have little choice in bringing American labor laws into Apple Stores: The National Labor Relations Board has ruled that since company representatives are forcing employees to attend meetings about not joining a union, they can no longer keep their cards close to their chests about how they feel about it.