William Gallagher
Around 150 workers across multiple Apple Store sites in Australia are expected to go on strike for one hour on October 18, as talks with Apple appear to halt.
Following pressure from workers, unions, and then Australia's Fair Work Commission, Apple agreed to negotiate with local unions in September 2022. While both sides agreed to extend the negotiation time, that period ended without a resolution.
According to Reuters, Apple Store members of Australia's Retail and Fast Food Workers Union (RAFFWU) will take industrial action. The 150 members of the union are a small fraction of Apple's approximately 4,000 workers in the country, but their strike is expected to affect 3 of Apple's 22 Australian stores.
"We've come to the end of that [negotiation period] today and we still aren't anywhere near a satisfactory agreement," RAFFWU federal secretary Josh Cullinan told Reuters, "so last night members unanimously endorsed that path."
"When large groups of workers walk off, that will have an impact," continued Cullinan.
The one-hour stoppage is to be at 10:00 a.m. local time in the Charlestown, Chermside, and Brisbane City Apple Stores. During that hour, striking workers will, amongst many other actions:
- Not handle deliveries
- Not promote business services
- Not do any work associated with carrier contracts
- Nor any work to do with consumer financing
There are also partial bans on very many Apple Store functions, such as device diagnostic testing and technical support on at least certain products including AirPods
Full details of the banned and partially banned activities are listed on the union's site. Separately, the full list of the RAFFWU's negotiation points is also available online.
The union is negotiating on multiple fronts, ranging across pay and benefits. Central to the discussion is how the union wants a A$31 per hour (US$19.57) minimum wage, and for workers to have set hours.
Apple told Reuters that its proposed minimum pay rate is 17% more than the industry minimum. The company also disputes issues around working hours, saying that contrary to the claims, full-time workers get guaranteed weekends.
"We are committed to providing the best possible experience (for our employees), including very strong compensation and benefits, annual stock grants and comprehensive leave policies," an Apple spokesperson said, "all of which exceed Australian industry standards."
Separately. Apple is currently facing a complaint from the US National Labor Relations Board over its alleged anti-union tactics in New York.
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
5 Comments
It will be interesting to see how Apple fares against Australian unions. Most likely to be a repeat of the EU-Apple exercise over USB-C cables.
Yeah not the same. The only link might be that There is a high degree of IR regulation in Australia. Industrial action can be quite choreographed. Almost pantomime as union heavies carry on like a place like Apple is a Satanic Mill. Entertaining really. The point is that unemployment is very low and the ability of workers to seek pay rises should be much greater than usual. And inflation is just kicking off now compared to how the situation has been in the USA for sometime now. The cost of living is suddenly escalating.
Unions had their time, way back in the day when they were needed but there is so much regulation and employees rights these days, unions are redundant. They just can't help themselves pushing benefits beyond what is fair and reasonable. Little wonder they get such a bad wrap, or businesses simply closing and moving off shore, in the case of manufacturers.
I read the demands of the unions and they are so out of touch with reality. This is simply gouging. They are dreamers and it is almost offensive to read. Wow, if the workers got all of those demands, they would be laughing (but probably no less happy), but costs would balloon. It isn't just a couple of isolated items here, they are absolutely shooting for the stars and beyond, hoping to get to the moon but this so typical of unions. Out of touch with reality. Greedy. Not conducive to a fair and balanced solution. Yes, Apple makes billions but that doesn't mean you gouge them. I full support companies doing a profit share of some sort for every employee but not to this level of ridiculousness.