Amber Neely
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has certified the union election for more than 100 Apple store employees in Towson, Maryland.
The union, known as Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (CORE), reached a clear majority vote on June 19. The vote passed 65 to 33.
Apple did not attempt to stop the union vote, and sources indicated that the company plans to participate in the bargaining process "in good faith."
According to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) website, the group will now be known as IAM-CORE. The official certification will pave the way for Apple management and IAM-CORE members to negotiate a first contract.
"The IAM and the new members of IAM-CORE in Towson, Md., look forward to bargaining with Apple and obtaining a strong first contract that makes positive changes for Apple workers and the customers they are proud to serve," said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan.
"IAM-CORE members feel that the opportunity to collectively bargain with Apple will enhance their workplace and continue to advance Apple's standing as one of the world's most innovative companies. IAM-CORE continues to organize from coast to coast to bring a greater voice on the job to Apple workers."
When originally announced, organizers within the store said they worked on getting support for almost a year. They coordinated with IAM to launch the union at the store.
It's not yet clear what the terms of the deal will be. Organizers at other stores stores have been pressing for an increase in the current starting pay of $20 per hour. Apple has since promised to pay $22 per hour.
Apple's retail chief Deirdre O'Brien pushed back against recent unionization efforts at some of the company's brick-and-mortar locations in a new video to staff members. She has said that the efforts could slow workplace progress and potentially harm the relationship between Apple and its employees.
The tech giant was recently accused of violating the National Labor Relations Act and countering an ongoing union drive at Apple Cumberland Mall in Georgia.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
19 Comments
Hope those Apple employees are ready to start paying union dues.
I find it interesting that people who have never worked for Apple even comment on this? You have no idea what it is or was like and I can tell you from first-hand experience that it has not always been a positive one. Instead of blaming people for wanting a better work environment, why do they want to organize in the first place? Apple can and should be THE best place to work not any other way. Their products are second to none and the workplace for everyone should be the same. It is that simple and in the end, it would benefit them greatly to do so. Blame management, not the workers like they are greedy children who don't have any work ethic or pride in their job.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens to salaries, benefits, and working conditions at nearby Apple stores as contracts go into effect. In other industries, union contracts cause non-union shops to improve theirs. You don’t need to belong to a union to enjoy its benefits. But is the right thing to do—don’t be a freeloader.