Apple Oklahoma City union secures new contract with pay hikes, better working conditions

The Apple Retail Union-CWA Local 6016 has been working on a new collectively-bargained contract with Apple for some time. The agreement, which will last for three years, will grant workers with various terms to improve their employment situation.

With the members voting to ratify the contract on September 24, the union covering the Penn Square Mall Apple Store is only the second to secure such an agreement. The first was the Towson Town Square store in Maryland in August.

The new contract includes average wage increases of up to 10% over the next three years. Jobs will also be protected in the event of a store closure or relocation, with severance pay.

There will be the establishment of joint Safety and Health and Working Relations committees, along with grievance and arbitration processes.

Workers will also be more involved in scheduling, and will be guaranteed paid time off to vote. There will also be guaranteed paid time off, health, and other benefits.

"It is exhilarating to finalize this bargaining process and know that after all the work we have done and all the obstacles that Apple has put in our way, we have finally secured the protection and improvements in pay and benefits that we deserve," said Genius Admin and union member Michael Forsythe. "We hope this sets an example for Apple's tens of thousands of retail workers that when we stand together, we have the power to make meaningful changes in our workplace."

The union, representing the 78 retail workers at the store, previously authorized a strike in August and picketed after months of delays in negotiations. The union says that later bargaining sessions in September were productive, with a tentative agreement made on September 6.

Apple issued a statement about the vote on Wednesday afternoon.

"At Apple, we work hard to provide an excellent experience for our team members and our customers. We have always paid our retail teams in the top tier of the market and we provide exceptional benefits for all full- and part-time employees.

Throughout this process, we have bargained in good faith and this agreement allows Penn Square team members to enjoy similar performance-based wage increases this year as last year, along with the same medical and time away benefits our U.S. retail employees currently receive."