Apple Retail Chief Dissuades Employees From Unionizing in New Video

[MacRumors]

As multiple Apple Stores in the United States work toward unionization, Apple's head of retail Deirdre O'Brien is aiming to thwart employee efforts through an anti-union video that was sent out to retail stores today.

Bloomberg shared details on the video, with O'Brien telling employees that unionization could slow workplace progress and could result in a soured relationship between Apple and its employees.

"It is your right to join a union - and it is equally your right not to join a union," O'Brien said in the video. She said that employees should "consult a wide range of people and sources" to have a full understanding of what it would mean to "work at Apple under a collective bargaining agreement."

O'Brien said that union organizations do not have an understanding of how Apple runs and may not be committed to employees as Apple is.

"We have a relationship that is based on an open and collaborative and direct engagement, which I feel could fundamentally change if a store is represented by a union under a collective bargaining agreement," she said. "And I worry about what it would mean to put another organization in the middle of our relationship. An organization that doesn't have a deep understanding of Apple or our business, and most importantly, one that I do not believe shares our commitment to you."

She explained that implementing raises, bonuses, and other new benefits could take longer under a union situation, referencing bonuses that were provided to retail employees during the pandemic. A union would potentially limit Apple's ability to implement "immediate, widespread changes," and it could "make it harder for [Apple] to act swiftly to address things" that employees bring up.

Apple retail locations in Washington State, New York City, Maryland, and Atlanta are organizing and taking steps toward unionization. Employees want higher pay, more vacation time, better retirement options, and other benefits.

Article Link: Apple Retail Chief Dissuades Employees From Unionizing in New Video

 

[4jasontv]

Besides the pandemic, does Apple have a history of proving retail employees raises, bonuses, and other new benefits?

 

[contacos]

it’s really amazing how the most normal things are such a big deal in the US. From masks, to the word that shall not be said 🔫, Health care to unions.

 

[newyorksole]

I'm only 2.5 years removed from Apple Retail and damn... a lot has changed. I can't wait to see if/when the unionization takes effect.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

This wouldn’t be an issue if Apple would give raises to all the Apple retail employees right away. So much has changed!

 

[brofkand]

Besides the pandemic, does Apple have a history of proving retail employees raises, bonuses, and other new benefits?

Yes, but it's still retail. It's better than working at most of the other stores in the mall.

 

[zahuh]

Power to the people! Get some of that 2 trillion anyway they can! Also for the corporate people that want to work from home, consider what the brave Apple retail employees are doing as major inspiration! Stand up and get what you deserve and want!

 

[filmantopia]

I find the vagueness of Apple’s messaging telling.

 

[Ion-X]

Good luck to these organizers!

As much as I love Apple, they don’t pay their retail workers nearly enough ($15 an hour is a poverty wage in 2022, and has been a poverty wage in major US cities for a decade). Nor do they give retail workers benefits commensurate with the integral role they play in the support and sales process. Reports have also shown abusive working conditions that a union could address.

 

[antiprotest]

Just had another bad experience at Apple store this morning. I have no sympathy for the workers there. Rude, incompetent, unaccommodating. Whatever gives them the worst treatment and pay, I am for it. Definitely reward those who perform well -- but not equal treatment for everybody, and no rewards for the freeloaders who just tag along.

 

[vipergts2207]

These companies trying to prevent unionization are so transparent. "Please don't unionize, we're only looking out for your best interest" they say as they offer terrible pay and crap benefits. ? Glad to see Americans rediscovering unions. Might finally be able to rebuild the middle class in this country.

 

[newyorksole]

Just had another bad experience at Apple store this morning. I have no sympathy for the workers there. Rude, incompetent, unaccommodating. Whatever gives them the worst treatment and pay, I am for it.

What happened?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Good luck to these organizers!

As much as I love Apple, they don’t pay their retail workers nearly enough ($15 an hour is a poverty wage in 2022, and has been a poverty wage in major US cities for a decade). Nor do they give retail workers benefits commensurate with the integral role they play in the support and sales process. Reports have also shown abusive working conditions that a union could address.

I agree. It was a dream to find a job at an Apple Store. It doesn't seem like that's the case anymore. Sad reality!

 

[vipergts2207]

Just had another bad experience at Apple store this morning. I have no sympathy for the workers there. Rude, incompetent, unaccommodating. Whatever gives them the worst treatment and pay, I am for it.

Yes, surely that's the way to encourage good customer service and pride in the company you work for. By treating your employees terribly...

 

[Fender2112]

Stand up and get what you deserve and want

What if what you derserve and what you want are different things?

 

[johnmarki]

Sending power and respect to all workers that know their value.

 

[The_Martini_Cat]

I would like to see a union at Apple Stores. I believe collective bargaining makes an organization stronger overall, and plus ... who do you think brought you the weekend? Spoiler alert: trade unions.??

 

[antiprotest]

Yes, surely that's the way to encourage good customer service and pride in the company you work for. By treating your employees terribly...

Punish the freeloaders that ride on other people's coattail. Reward those who perform well. That's the way. No equal treatment across the board due to collective bargain.

 

[ChrisMoBro]

Just had another bad experience at Apple store this morning. I have no sympathy for the workers there. Rude, incompetent, unaccommodating. Whatever gives them the worst treatment and pay, I am for it. Definitely reward those who perform well -- but not equal treatment for everybody, and no rewards for the freeloaders who just tag along.

Whilst a lot of us have probably had a few bad experiences with Apple, the majority of the time I’ve been nothing amazed at the staff I’ve done business with. Your comment is pretty nasty and bitter and it’s unfair for the majority of employees.

 

[antiprotest]

Whilst a lot of us have probably had a few bad experiences with Apple, the majority of the time I’ve been nothing amazed at the staff I’ve done business with. Your comment is pretty nasty and bitter and it’s unfair for the majority of employees.

I disagree with your assessment that it is bitter and unfair for me to say "definitely reward those who perform well." I think it would be bitter and unfair to withhold reward from them.

 

[JPack]

Really last ditch effort here by Apple.

Does Apple seriously expect a VP to dissuade low level retail workers? If anything, this will only accelerate unionization.

 

[vipergts2207]

Punish the freeloaders that ride on other people's coattail. Reward those who perform well. That's the way. No equal treatment across the board due to collective bargain.

The point of unionizing isn't to protect legitimately bad employees. It's to make sure you can't be fired without proper cause and that employees are compensated fairly for the work and value they provide the employer.

 

[TSE]

I really hope they don't unionize. My stocks are going to plummet.

 

[puckhead193]

Just had another bad experience at Apple store this morning. I have no sympathy for the workers there. Rude, incompetent, unaccommodating. Whatever gives them the worst treatment and pay, I am for it. Definitely reward those who perform well -- but not equal treatment for everybody, and no rewards for the freeloaders who just tag along.

I've been using Macs since my LC when I was child. When the retail stores opened they were awesome and the employees actually liked computers/tech and genius actually knew what was wrong. Now it's just a job and they wanted a discount. If I can avoid going to the stores now I do.
Some employees are great but most don't know anything and give the wrong advice.

 

[GMShadow]

Just had another bad experience at Apple store this morning. I have no sympathy for the workers there. Rude, incompetent, unaccommodating. Whatever gives them the worst treatment and pay, I am for it. Definitely reward those who perform well -- but not equal treatment for everybody, and no rewards for the freeloaders who just tag along.

My favorite experience was when a Genius Bar employee cheerfully informed me I needed to replace the battery in my MacBook Air for $129.