Comments from Apple's executives and imposed employee policies violated workers' rights, as per authorities from US National Labor Relations Boards. A complaint will be issued by the board's regional director against Apple unless they settle the case.
(Photo : Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: People visit the Apple Store in Grand Central Station on April 18, 2022 in New York City. Employees at the Apple Store at the Grand Central Terminal store have begun the process of unionization. The organizers who are calling themselves the "Fruit Stand Workers United" are collecting signatures from workers and are seeking representation by Workers United, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union, who have overseen successful union efforts at some Starbucks stores in the U.S.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: People visit the Apple Store in Grand Central Station on April 18, 2022 in New York City. Employees at the Apple Store at the Grand Central Terminal store have begun the process of unionization. The organizers who are calling themselves the "Fruit Stand Workers United" are collecting signatures from workers and are seeking representation by Workers United, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union, who have overseen successful union efforts at some Starbucks stores in the U.S.
Violating Workers Rights
The United States National Labor Relations Board deemed Apple Inc. executives' comments and imposed employee policies as illegal after violating workers' rights. Based on a report from Bloomberg, the authorities determined rules that tend to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees to exercise their rights to collective action.
Spokesperson Kayla Blado stated, "NLRB found merit to a charge alleging statements and conduct by Apple, including high-level executives, also violated the National Labor Relations Act." The board's regional director will issue a complaint unless Apple settles.
The investigation of the agency started when former Apple employees Ashley Gjovi and Cher Scarlett brought complaints in 2021. The company was accused by Scarlett of imposing a ban on employees from discussing wages, hours, terms, or conditions of employment with one another.
Meanwhile, Gjovik complained that Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook pledged and warned the employees that they will be punished once the company finds out who leaked the employee handbook's policies. According to the complainant, this violated the federal law.
She also stated that Apple restricts its staff from disclosing business information like co-workers' compensations and posting impolite content on Twitter. In a leaked email last September 2021, people who leak confidential information do not belong in the company.
Cook stated in the memo, "Apple is doing everything in our power to identify those who leaked. We don't tolerate disclosures of confidential information, whether it's product IP or the details of a confidential meeting."
Apple's Response
Apple Attorney Jason Stanevich stated during a hearing that the company fosters an open and inclusive work environment. Employees were permitted and encouraged to discuss their thoughts and feelings with one another regarding their experiences in the workplace.
The United States Labor Law protects workers' rights to have the liberty of communicating and engaging with one another in collective action regarding workplace issues. 9To5Mac reported that the complaints will now be reviewed by administrative law judges.
However, rulings by the judges can be appealed from labor board members to federal court, as NLRB does not have the ability to impose damages or hold the company's executives liable for violations. The agency only has the power for companies to change workplace policies.
Also read: Apple Sends Memo to Employees Telling Them They Can Now Discuss Working Conditions and Pay
Over the past years, Apple has been facing several complaints from white collar staff and unprecedented organizing campaigns led by retail employees that voted to unionize in different states like Maryland and Oklahoma.
Gjobvik stated that she hopes this time, the government will now acknowledge that Apple's culture of secrecy is not okay. She added, "I also hope that this sends shockwaves through other corporations that even Apple can be held accountable."
Related Article: Apple Employees Are 'Unhappy' With Weekly Three-Day In-Person Work
