Apple is facing an investigation for allegations of unfair labor practices at its retail stores in Kansas City and Houston. This was followed by reports of firing and intimidating its workers on the job organizing a union.
Apple's Union Busting
House Representatives Emanuel Cleaver and Sylvia Garcia asked the National Labor Relations Board to investigate Apple into alleged labor abuses at its Houston and Kansas City, Missouri stores. Engadget reported that this effort comes after Apple fired five staff for unionizing efforts and disciplined multiple employees for attempting to organize.
According to the representatives, any employees are guaranteed and have the right to organize collectively without interference, intimidation, and coercion from their respective companies. They are strongly pushing their efforts for this investigation as they saw a pattern from the company. The NLRB already found Apple infringed upon worker rights just this year.
Cleaver stated that this investigation ensures no business can infringe on the rights of workers in America. "I don't care if the offender is Apple or Applejacks, if any business attempts to stifle workers' right to organize in Kansas City, then they're going to hear from me about it," he added.
As per the released statement, largest corporations are making their own efforts to silence and stamp out their workers to collectively bargain for fairer wages, better benefits, and increased workplace safety, which is extremely disconcerting. "Large tech companies may think they are above the law, but thorough investigations from the National Labor Relations Board may prove otherwise," Garcia stated.
Previous Complaints
The Communications Workers of America just recently filed charges with the NLRB last March as they believe Apple threatened to fire and intimidate employees, including late arrivals and even typos in timesheets. Workers were also forced to sign a release of claims against the company if ever they wanted a severance package, which both representatives described as illegal.
Aside from this, Apple was also accused of preventing its employees from unionizing by conducting anti-union meetings at all of its 270 stores across the United States. Store managers were given an opening statement that came from the corporate side of the company, and criticized the union dues and processes to disenchant workers.
While the company did not directly say it, Apple gave a message to its employees that if their store unionizes, they will have a disadvantage as they "pour cold water on the idea." Managers ended the meeting by saying that employees have the right to vote, after diabolizing the idea of organizing a union.
Unfortunately, this effort appears to be working as they are only two retail stores have unionized, with some workers already pushed back their efforts to unionize. When asked about this matter, Apple argued that the company already addressed concerns by raising pay, improving benefits, and easing its scheduling rules.
