CWA Accuses Apple of “Union Busting” at WTC Store
Apple World Trade Center - Image via Apple
19 MAY 2022 - Another charge of “union busting” against Apple. We heard yesterday of a Communications Workers of America (CWA) complaint against Apple on behalf of Apple retail workers in Atlanta. Now the CWA is leveling similar charges on behalf of workers at Apple’s World Trade Center store in New York.
Engadget has the CWA accusing Apple of violating multiple federal labor laws…” Among them, “unlawfully” enacting a rule banning workers from “posting union flyers in work areas during their breaks,” and holding “captive-audience” meetings meant to discourage unionization. Those we heard about yesterday, with Atlanta retail workers saying that start-of-shift meetings, which used to be for store and corporate happenings, have increasingly included talk of corporate culture, benefits, and “anti-union messaging…”
Accusations at the World Trade Center store seem to go further. According to Engadget:
The complaint alleges that Apple interrogated workers at the WTC store regarding their “protected concerted activities.” Apple also allegedly monitored those activities, or at least made employees believe that they were being monitored.
Tim Dubnau, CWA's Deputy Organizing Director, is quoted in the piece, saying:
The best thing Apple can do is allow workers to choose for themselves whether or not they want a union. When we learn of situations where Apple is violating labor law, we intend to hold the company accountable and help the workers defend their rights under the law.
