Apple has reportedly been charged with a second union bankruptcy filed against the company. This time, the company claims to have violated several federal laws at the World Trade Center store.
The first accusation that violated the National Labor Relations Act was related to the company’s response to union activity at the Apple Cumberland Mall in Atlanta.
Apple Union-Busting may violate the law
As a background, Apple retail employees have been planning to form a union since February 2022. Initially, reports showed that groups in two different locations began preparing documents for submission to the National Labor Relations Commission. About 6 more stores are in the early stages of planning.
Currently, the main concern is that wages are not keeping up with rising inflation. However, workers are also concerned about various issues related to working conditions.
In mid-April, the Grand Central Terminal store in New York officially began the integration process. Many goals of this process include better trading of staff. In addition, this subsequently triggered the beginning of similar movements in Atlanta and Maryland.
In response, Apple has begun distributing anti-union issues to store managers. The issue in this case includes the idea that integration may reduce the chances of promotion.
As a result, Apple is currently facing charges of “unfair labor practice.” This is a legal term that violates the National Labor Relations Act. This law prohibits businesses from interfering with the formation or organization of unions.
Report from Engadget Indicates that the Communications Workers of America (CWA) have made a claim on behalf of Atlanta’s Apple Store workers. The second is about the World Trade Center stores.
Specifically, the complaint alleges that Apple has cross-examined WTC store workers regarding “protected collaboration.” The tech giant reportedly began to monitor these activities. Or, at least, employees have come to believe that they are under surveillance.
How to not attract the audience
CWA also said Apple has “illegally enforced” a rule in the store that prohibits employees from posting union leaflets in the work area during breaks. Apple is also faced with accusations that the company has delivered a “POW audience” speech focused on discouraging employee unity.
The CWA also filed a complaint of unfair labor practice against the Cupertino giant on behalf of the workers at the Cumberland Mall location. This is related to the high-tech giant mandating an audience meeting of prisoners of war for union elections at the Atlanta location.
In this case, a “captive audience meeting” is a meeting that staff must attend as part of their job. An example is an overview of a morning meeting. It is illegal for companies to use mandatory attendance meetings as a means of discouraging unionization.
Ultimately, CWA claims that it doesn’t follow Apple’s own assertive spirit. “The best thing Apple can do is allow workers to choose whether they want a union or not,” CWA said.
This can be a complicated situation, but breaking the law doesn’t look good to everyone. It’s probably a better move for Apple to play well with its employees.
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