Retail Apple employees at a New York City store in Grand Central Terminal have begun collecting signatures to form a union, according to a report by The Washington Post†
The organizers, who are reportedly going through Fruit Stand Workers United, announced this in an update on the Pacific Blue Collar Organizing Committee: website that they voted on February 21, 2022 to join the Workers United union. Workers United supports the same group recent union efforts at Starbucks stores through the whole country.
As noted by The mail, organizers at the Grand Central location are currently handing out signature cards so that workers can express an interest in forming a union. If at least 30 percent of workers agree, organizers can petition the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold union elections. So far, no Apple store has successfully unionized.
“Grand Central is an extraordinary store with unique working conditions that necessitate a union to ensure our team has the best possible standard of living in what has proven to be extraordinary times,” reads the organizer’s website, citing inflation figures and pandemic-related store closures.
Back in February, The mail reported that several Apple stores were gearing up to unionize amid complaints that wages could not keep up with skyrocketing inflation and poor working conditions. The mail‘s recent report suggests that “at least three” other Apple retail locations are making progress toward unionization.
“We are fortunate to have incredible members of the retail team and we really appreciate everything they bring to Apple,” an Apple spokesperson said in a statement. The mail† “We are excited to offer very strong benefits and benefits for full-time and part-time employees, including health care, tuition reimbursement, new parental leave, paid family leave, annual stock grants and many other benefits.” Apple and the NLRB did not immediately respond The edge‘s request for comment.
Earlier this year, Apple increased benefits for both part-time and full-time store employees after The edgeThere are reports that Apple store employees struggle with low wages and a stressful work environment. Over the course of the pandemic, store employees have also faced changing mask guidelines, store closures and the requirement to submit proof of a COVID-19 booster injection or show a negative COVID-19 test before entering the store. .