Apple accused of being anti-union in a World Trade Center store

The Communications Workers of America have accused Apple of multiple violations of federal labor law in two unfair labor practice charges filed against the company this week.

On Thursday, the CWA accused the tech giant of engaging in illegal activities at its World Trade Center flagship store, including “the interrogation of staff, surveillance, restricting the display of union flyers and the obligation for employees to attend mandatory anti-union speeches”. He also claims that Apple’s “overbroad, company-wide non-solicitation policy” violates state labor relations law by discouraging employees from engaging in union activities.

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Thursday’s unfair labor practice charge comes after the CWA already filed a separate charge on Tuesday alleging that Apple violated state labor relations law by requiring workers at its Cumberland Mall store in Atlanta to “listen anti-union propaganda at the mandatory ‘daily download’ meetings.” Employees at the Cumberland Mall store have filed a union election application with the National Labor Relations Board, which is currently scheduled for the first week of June.

In addition to efforts in Atlanta, Apple retail employees at Grand Central Terminal in New York and Towson, Maryland have begun taking steps to unionize.

“Apple’s retail employees across the country are demanding a voice at work and a place at the table. Unfortunately, and at odds with its stated values, Apple has responded like a typical American company with heavy-handed tactics designed to intimidate and coerce workers,” CWA Deputy Organizing Director Tim Dubnau said in a statement. “The best thing Apple can do is allow workers to choose for themselves whether or not they want a union. When we learn of situations where Apple violates labor laws, we intend to hold the responsible business and to help workers defend their rights under the law.”

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An Apple spokesperson reiterated the company’s previous statement that it is “lucky to have amazing members of the retail team” and “deeply appreciates everything they bring” to the company. ‘business”.

The tech giant is touting “strong compensation and benefits for full-time and part-time employees,” including health care, tuition reimbursement, new parental leave, paid family leave and annual equity grants.

A company spokesperson previously told FOX Business that Apple has tens of thousands of retail workers who earn at least $20 an hour.

Apple has more than 500 retail locations worldwide, including more than 270 in the United States alone.