Apple’s union-busting tactics have been described as “traumatic” by workers at the first Apple Store to unionize, Towson, Maryland.
They accuse Apple of failing to live up to its own human rights policy and say various threats have been made against workers wanting to join the union – including one who was told the immigration assistance offered by company may be withdrawn…
The workers created a petition, calling on Apple’s board to ensure that staff at other stores are not subjected to the same tactics.
We knew Apple had strong human rights policies, especially around the rights of workers to organize. […]
Unfortunately for us, these policies were not followed. What we received in return for contacting our CEO was nothing less than a systematic and coordinated campaign designed to inflict substantial collective pressure on us as a workforce. To be clear, it was nothing short of traumatic for many of us. We are still dealing with the emotional effects of this campaign guided by Littler Mendelson.
Today we reach out to you, our Apple Board of Directors, in the hopes that you will be able to take action to ensure that no other Apple employees go through what we have done unnecessarily. […]
The right to union representation is guaranteed by the US government; it’s a right that Apple recognizes in its Human Rights Policy and requires compliance from its suppliers in its Supplier Code of Conduct. Do not punish us for exercising these rights. These anti-union campaigns have concrete consequences on the health of your employees.
The reference to Littler Mendelson is a law firm specializing in union busting, and which Apple has asked to help in its efforts to dissuade staff from unionizing. It was the same company hired by Starbucks.
Wired spoke to some of the staff involved, who painted a picture of Apple using crippling tactics, with likely long-term consequences.
Workers say some managers who were given anti-union talking points to deliver during the campaign continue to be biased against union supporters, complaining when they miss work and calling them lazy. Especially in small workplaces such as Apple stores, fractured relationships are a common victim of harsh union busting campaigns.
Apple employees felt particularly blindsided by the ferocity of the campaign, given the company’s stated commitment to progressive values and inclusiveness. […]
“When you hire Littler Mendelson, it signals that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to defeat the union campaign,” says Logan. “That you’re ready to play hardball” […]
According to Rhodes, executives emphasized how grateful employees should be for the pay and benefits they receive from Apple, and suggested they could lose them if the union wins. She says the alarmism has become targeted; one employee was told his immigration aid could be taken away from him if the union wins.
This echoes earlier comments from employment experts, who have said that union busting can be a very risky thing to do. We urged Apple to take a positive and proactive approach instead.
There were moments of humor.
They attempted to portray the union as racist, citing its history of excluding minorities when it was founded, “without any real historical context in 1880s Georgia,” Gallagher notes. “Someone argued that the union is run by rich white men,” said Graham DeYoung, an Apple employee of 15 years and a member of the Towson store’s organizing committee. “I said, ‘Hey, look at Apple’s board. “”
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