Apple has been charged with illegal union-busting by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for the fourth time.
This time, the federal agency accuses the tech giant of withholding benefits from the first legally unionized Apple shop workers, implying an effort to sway a unionization vote at another shop, per 9 To 5 Mac.
Previous complaints against Apple include mandatory attendance at anti-union meetings, the creation of a fake union, the penalization of union members, the firing of activists, and coercive interrogations.
This photo taken on October 30, 2023, shows people visiting an Apple store in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province.
What to Know About the Latest NLRB Charges Against Apple
The latest NLRB complaint centers on Apple's denial of enhanced benefits to the initial unionized workers at the Towson, Maryland, store, just before a second unionization vote at the Penn Square store in Oklahoma City.
The NLRB contends that Apple's decision to withhold benefits from the Towson workers was aimed at discouraging other employees from pursuing unionization. Allegedly, these benefits, which include new healthcare options, a Coursera subscription, and prepaid tuition, were used as a means to influence the outcome of the unionization vote.
The NLRB has scheduled a hearing to examine the legality of Apple's actions, with Chairperson Wilma Liebman expressing skepticism about the timing and questioning the legitimacy of the move. Apple is required to respond to the complaint by December 5, and the hearing is scheduled for February 20, 2024.
As of present reporting, Apple has yet to make an official statement about the fresh NLRB charge.
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Apple Pledges to Review Labor Policies Amid Backlash
Apple's history of engaging in union-busting tactics has resulted in judgments confirming three instances of illegal conduct. US Congressional members have noted a recurring pattern of labor law violations by the Cupertino Company. Apple is currently in the process of appealing a court ruling related to coercive interrogations.
In May, as reported by Apple Insider, Representatives Emanuel Cleaver II from Missouri and Sylvia Garcia from Texas wrote to the NLRB concerning Apple's retail worker treatment. The letter states Kansas City Country Club Plaza workers were dismissed for union action under the pretense of tardiness. The business fired one worker for being one minute late for their shift, which was rare before unionization.
The first unionized Apple shop in the UK, in Glasgow, has been accused of anti-union practices. Members of the United Tech and Allied Workers (UTAW) claim that Apple management is employing disinformation, imposing restrictions on union actions, and utilizing implied threats to dissuade employees from joining unions.
The company was accused of consistently employing a script to undermine unions, implying disciplinary action and job loss for those engaging in union-related activities. While Apple's tactics avoid direct opposition to unionization, they create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, raising legal concerns.
In January, Apple responded to union-busting charges by committing to review its US labor policies. Engadget reported that the technology juggernaut told the Securities and Exchange Commission that it would evaluate its "efforts to comply with its Human Rights Policy concerning workers' freedom of association and collective bargaining rights in the United States by the end of the calendar year 2023."
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