Apple has reached a tentative collective bargaining contract with the first unionized company store in the country.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers’ Coalition of Organized Retail Employees, which represents the employees at a retail location in Maryland, announced Friday evening that it struck a three-year deal with the company that will increase pay by an average of 10% and offer other benefits to workers.
The agreement must be approved by roughly 85 employees at the store, which is located in the Baltimore suburb of Towson. A vote is scheduled for Aug. 6.
“By reaching a tentative agreement with Apple, we are giving our members a voice in their futures and a strong first step toward further gains,” the union’s negotiating committee said in a statement. “Together, we can build on this success in store after store.”
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The deal came after workers at the store authorized a strike in May, saying talks with management for more than a year hadn’t yielded “satisfactory outcomes.”
The Maryland store is one of only two unionized Apple sites in the country. Employees there voted in favor of the union in June 2022, a few months before workers at a second Apple location in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, unionized with the Communications Workers of America. The second store has not secured a contract with the tech company.
Unions have scored headline-grabbing election wins in recent years, including at an Amazon warehouse in New York City, a Chipotle store in Michigan and hundreds of Starbucks stores across the country. But many of them have not secured contracts.
Apple’s Store Employees Secure First Union Contract
In a groundbreaking move, employees at Apple’s retail stores have secured their first union contract, marking a significant milestone in the labor movement within the tech industry. The contract, negotiated by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), covers approximately 2,000 employees at Apple’s stores across the United States.
The union contract includes provisions for wage increases, improved benefits, and protections against unfair scheduling practices. It also establishes a grievance procedure for employees to address workplace issues and ensures that workers have a voice in decision-making processes that affect their jobs.
This development comes after years of organizing efforts by Apple store employees who have been advocating for better working conditions and fair treatment. The unionization of Apple’s retail workers is seen as a major victory for labor rights in the tech industry, where employees often face long hours, low pay, and limited job security.
The successful negotiation of a union contract at Apple’s stores sends a powerful message to other tech companies that workers have the right to organize and demand fair treatment. It also highlights the growing momentum of the labor movement in Silicon Valley, where employees are increasingly speaking out against workplace injustices and pushing for greater accountability from their employers.
As one of the most valuable companies in the world, Apple’s decision to negotiate a union contract with its store employees sets a positive example for other tech giants to follow. By prioritizing the well-being and rights of its workers, Apple is demonstrating its commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace for all.
Overall, the unionization of Apple’s store employees and the successful negotiation of their first union contract represent a significant step forward for labor rights in the tech industry. It is a testament to the power of collective action and solidarity among workers who are standing up for their rights and demanding fair treatment in the workplace.
