Motherboard: Apple Store Leaders Talking Down Unionization at U.S. Locations
Apple Tower Theatre in Los Angeles - Image: Ken Ray
13 MAY 2022 - Apple has not said that it’s against unionization at its retail stores. But if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck… The company has hired Littler Mendelson - the same union-stopping law firm working to end unionization moves at Starbucks stores. Now, Motherboard has obtained and published a list of talking points Apple Store leaders are using during staff meetings at the start of shifts. While Apple has not commented on the talking points, Motherboard says it has verified their dissemination.
The Motherboard piece comes off as pretty pro-union. Though not explicitly anti-union, Apple’s talking points seem designed to instill a bit of fear. Worries expressed include the possibility of:
Fewer opportunities for employees
Less attention to merit
Less flexibility in scheduling
Less flexibility around difficult or extenuating circumstances
The one thing that Motherboard seems to read as a misstep on Apple’s part - the company “paints the union as an outside third-party.” According to Motherboard:
Union organizers say this argument has backfired in recent counter-offensives led by Starbucks and Amazon against union drives, as workers can see that union organizers are their colleagues.
As mentioned before, Apple declined to comment for the Motherboard piece, choosing instead to reiterate its pervious statement around such questions:
We are fortunate to have incredible retail team members and we deeply value everything they bring to Apple. We are pleased to offer very strong compensation 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’s full talking points are available on Motherboard.
