and we believe we will succeed.Īnthony Viola, a member of Fruit Stand Workers United By joining forces with CWA, we intend to participate with countless other stores to achieve workers’ rights across Apple Retail in the U.S. Through Workers United, we have learned what we can expect from Littler, and we are prepared. When we think about the next step in mobilizing our peers into power, we can only fight back the endless union busting and fear tactics on a larger scale. It’s also been accused of union busting, potentially breaking labor laws by holding anti-union talks with staff. However, to combat unionization, Apple has hired notorious anti-union legal team Littler Mendelson for help. Retail locations in Kentucky and Maryland are also unionizing, with efforts recently halted in Atlanta. The unionization process has spread to other Apple Stores across the country. With over 270 employees, Grand Central is fighting for higher wages, improved working conditions, better retirement, among other items. The Grand Central store began the unionization process in April, branding the initiative as “Fruit Stand Workers United”. We look forward to continuing to learn from and collaborate with Workers United as we help workers win a union voice on the job.Ĭhris Shelton, President of the Communications Workers of America We appreciate the confidence that the Fruit Stand Workers United organizing committee has in our plan to build worker power at Apple. Starbucks workers who have been organizing – and winning – union representation across the country with Workers United’s support have inspired retail workers at Apple, Verizon Wireless, and many other companies.
In a press release, it was stated that Workers United is also the union behind the Starbucks Workers United campaign.
Together with Fruit Stand Workers United (FSWU), the CWA and Workers United will help the flagship store in its ongoing work to form a union. The leadership is actually collecting the cards that would authorize employees to hold a vote.The Communications Workers of America (CWA) is now supporting union organizing efforts at Apple’s Grand Central Station Store in New York City. PDT A previous version of this article said the employees were collecting votes. SEE ALSO: Staten Island warehouse workers just voted to form the first Amazon union If Fruit Stand Workers United gets enough yes votes, they would be the first Apple Store to unionize. Earlier in 2021, corporate Apple employees joined with retail workers to launch the #AppleToo movement, which is collecting and publicizing stories of workplace inequality. On Christmas Eve, Apple Store workers staged a walkout to protest working conditions. Grand Central workers said Apple has been lobbying at the stores against unionization.Įmployee organization efforts have been heating up at Apple over the last year. Employees at three other Apple Store locations are working to unionize, according to WaPo. Now, the store employees are collecting employee signature cards that would authorize employees to hold a union vote.īut union activity is reportedly not limited to the Grand Central store. The Grand Central workers have launched a website that says the aim of organizing is "to ensure our team has the best possible standards of living in what have proven to be extraordinary times." The website says the organizing committee comprises around 10 percent of Grand Central workers. They have organized under the name "Fruit Stand Workers United," with the Workers United union (the same union workers at Starbucks stores have organized under). Workers at the Grand Central Apple Store are working to form a union, the Washington Post reports. The labor movement has officially come to Apple.
The Apple logo affixed to the side of a building.