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On Saturday, Apple workers in maryland store vote to unionize became the first US retail staff members of the corporation to unionise.
According to the union website, more than 100 Towson workers who recently organised the Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (CORE) “overwhelmingly” decided to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) (Opens in a new window).
Robert Martinez Jr., president of IAM International, stated in a statement, “I congratulate the fortitude demonstrated by CORE members at the Apple store in Towson for obtaining this historic win.” “They made a significant sacrifice for the thousands of Apple workers across the country who were watching this election closely.
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CORE informed CEO Tim Cook(Opens in a new window) last month of its decision to unionise, stating that they were doing so “not to go against or create conflict with our management,” but rather “out of a profound love of our role as workers within the company and out of compassion for the company itself.”
The store, which is eight miles north of Baltimore and is approaching its 20th anniversary, cited “gaining access to privileges that we do not currently have” as the impetus for unionisation.
Martinez Jr. demanded of Apple CEO Tim Cook, “I ask that you accept the election results and expedite a first contract for the hardworking IAM CORE Apple employees in Towson.” “This victory demonstrates the growing support for unions at Apple stores and throughout other businesses in our country,” the winner said.
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When PCMag contacted Apple for comment, they were slow to respond. Reuters(Opens in a new window) was informed by a corporate spokesperson that there was “nothing to add at this time.”
A leaked letter from Apple last month revealed the company is educating US retail store managers on how to persuade workers to forego incorporation. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) recently accused Apple of intimidating and interfering with an Atlanta-based store’s attempt to join a union.