Apple to Hold First Company-Wide Retail Meetings Since 2019 This Weekend

[MacRumors]

Apple will hold rare company-wide retail meetings this weekend, the first in three years since the start of the global health crisis, according to sources familiar with the matter. The timing of the meetings comes just less than two weeks away from when Apple will hold its "Far Out" event for the iPhone 14 and new Apple Watches.

The meetings, planned to take place in Apple Stores across the United States, are the first of their kind since 2019 amid the global health crisis. Apple had originally planned for company-wide meetings, which typically happen once or twice a year ahead of a busy launch season, for the Spring of 2020 but canceled amid store closures and lockdowns. In years past, Apple has unveiled company-wide retail strategies and "pep talk" styled team discussions meant to prepare employees to launch new products.

This year's meetings, however, come amid widespread tension within Apple over unionization, a factor not present in years past. Apple has been ramping-up its union-related talking points in the last several weeks, MacRumors has reported. Last week, Apple Store leaders across the United States communicated what employees perceived as "anti-union rhetoric" in a coordinated attempt to ease staff concerns.

Apple is preparing to launch several new products in the coming weeks, including the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro. Apple Store employees in several locations across the United States have been tasked with preparing for new merchandise material in the coming weeks, typical before a major new product launch. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that the new iPhones will go on sale on Friday, September 16, with pre-orders opening a week before on Friday, September 9.

Article Link: Apple to Hold First Company-Wide Retail Meetings Since 2019 This Weekend

 

[ct2k7]

Looking forward to a packed mall and packed shop.

I wonder how they'll handle it during the weekend, when the footfall in shops is generally higher?

 

[KPOM]

This will be interesting. Apple pays better than most retailers. Not sure what unions will add for the typical worker.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

No matter what the retail employees of Apple will Unionize. There's no other way around it.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

This will be interesting. Apple pays better than most retailers. Not sure what unions will add for the typical worker.

Benefits such as better pay, better work-life balance, more vacation and sick hours, bonus payout, better working shift schedule, tuition reimbursement, retirement plans, bonuses... the list goes on and on...

 

[JPack]

This year's "pep talk" will certainly be very different, more like scary talk.

 

[samifathi]

I wonder how they'll handle it during the weekend, when the footfall in shops is generally higher?

Many stores have special hours for Sunday (they're closing early). Per my sources, the meeting is happening after stores close, but it'll differ by location and other factors as well.

 

[ct2k7]

Many stores have special hours for Sunday (they're closing early). Per my sources, the meeting is happening after stores close, but it'll differ by location and other factors as well.

Sounds better - but yes, I wonder if they'll use it for the closing hours and extend the time staff spend cleaning up

 

[mansplains]

Sounds better - but yes, I wonder if they'll use it for the closing hours and extend the time staff spend cleaning up

They should hold the meeting during business hours, sell some tickets to listen in

 

[VuvuzelaiPhone]

This will be interesting. Apple pays better than most retailers. Not sure what unions will add for the typical worker.

Let the workers decide that. Pay is just one factor in employment.

 

[SoldOnApple]

I can't help thinking of Hank Scorpio whenever I see the flying saucer Apple HQ

 

[szw-mapple fan]

This will be interesting. Apple pays better than most retailers. Not sure what unions will add for the typical worker.

If Apple can already pay better without a union, they almost certainly can afford to pay more. Unions should also be able to negotiate working conditions etc.

 

[Dancin-Ted-Danson]

Benefits such as better pay, better work-life balance, more vacation and sick hours, bonus payout, better working shift schedule, tuition reimbursement, retirement plans, bonuses... the list goes on and on...

They already have all of that and more... those retail employees are getting RSUs, sick time, vacation time, tuition reimbursement, 401k match, better pay then their jobs would get else where (hell better then some other corporate jobs provide at large companies).

Some people are in for a rude awakening with all of this

Side note, all this "grass is greener, give me what I want without looking at what I have" reminds me of a story I heard through the grapevine involving Apple Retail. Back a couple years ago, when BLM was all over the news, there was a manager opening in one of the US markets (not going into specifics here). A group of employees posted up in the break room and demanded that the new manager be a POC (and assumed that person would be one of them), with the threat of unionizing, walking out... the whole nine yards. Not shocking, the market management agrees to this but then hired externally... the amount of resentment from that group was off the charts.

 

[Blackstick]

Worked there 07-14. Don’t get too excited. All-store meetings rarely convey any information that’s any kind of secret. I’ve been to dozens of them, they’re pep rallies, typically a free meal, and usually some customer service quarterly awards for the staff. Occasionally it covers a boring policy change or an upcoming redesign of the store. “Hey guys we’re moving the case section from the left side to the right side!”

In all probability, the words “union” or “organize” will not be mentioned. Apple will keep that utterly quiet.

 

[bLackjackj]

This will be interesting. Apple pays better than most retailers. Not sure what unions will add for the typical worker.

Care to elaborate and list ALL the countries Apple stores reside and wages (incl. US)?

Also please include comparisons on benefits, hours, min. wage. Thanks in advance.

Yeh, I thought not.

This is a meeting that should be held EVERY year with store employees, not only when Apple is afraid staff might join a union for better standard entitlements.

It hasn't hurt ANY retailers in Australia, including Apple!

 

[bLackjackj]

Let the workers decide that. Pay is just one factor in employment.

They CAN decide. No one is forced either way.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Benefits such as better pay, better work-life balance, more vacation and sick hours, bonus payout, better working shift schedule, tuition reimbursement, retirement plans, bonuses... the list goes on and on...

If it's so great there, why don't you dump your current job to go work there?

I know I wouldn't in a million years.

Put it this way, I've never heard a past employee genuinely gushing about how great it was to work there.

 

[SFjohn]

They already have all of that and more... those retail employees are getting RSUs, sick time, vacation time, tuition reimbursement, 401k match, better pay then their jobs would get else where (hell better then some other corporate jobs provide at large companies).

Some people are in for a rude awakening with all of this

Side note, all this "grass is greener, give me what I want without looking at what I have" reminds me of a story I heard through the grapevine involving Apple Retail. Back a couple years ago, when BLM was all over the news, there was a manager opening in one of the US markets (not going into specifics here). A group of employees posted up in the break room and demanded that the new manager be a POC (and assumed that person would be one of them), with the threat of unionizing, walking out... the whole nine yards. Not shocking, the market management agrees to this but then hired externally... the amount of resentment from that group was off the charts.

One thing they will get with a union is seniority. The longer you work there the better your job will become. It’s great for long term employees, as it adds security to the job. A potential downside is security can allow for disengagement, with the potential for worse customer service. That being said I’ve worked the same jobs at union and non union business and at both I found skilled labor taking pride in their jobs and providing excellent customer service. I retired from a union job, and those benefits continue to this day. Time will tell how this works out for Apple.

 

[bLackjackj]

If it's so great there, why don't you dump your current job to go work there?

I know I wouldn't in a million years.

Put it this way, I've never heard a past employee genuinely gushing about how great it was to work there.

Lol, TheYayAreaLiving didn't say that it was great working there, she was saying what could be possible with union involvement and what that could look like for staff.

 

[bLackjackj]

They already have all of that and more... those retail employees are getting RSUs, sick time, vacation time, tuition reimbursement, 401k match, better pay then their jobs would get else where (hell better then some other corporate jobs provide at large companies).

Some people are in for a rude awakening with all of this

So then what is the problem?? If you want to join,, then join. If you don't then don't?! In Australia, Union involvement have absolutely increased wages, supported job growth and allowed ALL staff to have a say.

Yes, the ONLY "rude awakening" will be for employers, who will now have to abide by agreed to set guidelines, standards, wage growth etc. Australia has been down this road years ago!

 

[UnusedLoginID]

Many stores have special hours for Sunday (they're closing early). Per my sources, the meeting is happening after stores close, but it'll differ by location and other factors as well.

These meetings are always before opening hours which is generally late on Sundays.

 

[KPOM]

Care to elaborate and list ALL the countries Apple stores reside and wages (incl. US)?

Also please include comparisons on benefits, hours, min. wage. Thanks in advance.

Yeh, I thought not.

This is a meeting that should be held EVERY year with store employees, not only when Apple is afraid staff might join a union for better standard entitlements.

It hasn't hurt ANY retailers in Australia, including Apple!

Apple pays well above the minimum wage in the US. And yes, they usually have these meetings annually.

Unions had their day. Now they are mostly scams enriching their leaders while providing next to no benefit for their members.

The vast majority of union members in the US are government employees. Even FDR thought public sector unions were a bad idea.

 

[KPOM]

They CAN decide. No one is forced either way.

Not really, at least in the US. If a store decides to organize, then all the workers are effectively compelled to join, or at least pay for the collective bargaining done on their behalf. A few years ago the Supreme Court ruled that employees could opt out of some union fees but enforcement in practice is mixed.