A majority of employees of an Apple Store in Maryland voted in favor of the creation of a union, despite the active opposition of the leaders of the Californian group. These kinds of initiatives are multiplying in the United States.
Le Monde with AFP
After Amazon and Starbucks, it’s Apple’s turn to have to accept the creation of a union in one of its branches in the United States. A first for the technology giant, which has so far attempted to discourage attempts at unionization. Of the 110 employees of the Apple Store of Towson, in Maryland, 65 spoke for, and 33 against, according to the countdown broadcast live Saturday June 18 by the federal agency responsible for supervising the ballot.
A group of employees called Applecore (Coalition of Apple distribution employees) led campaign for unionization. They ask for voice to decide on wages, schedules and safety measures. The result of Saturday means that the employees of this store, who were called upon to vote since Wednesday, should create their branch of the IAM union, once the agency has certified the results.
The Director of Apple Distribution and Human Resources, Deirdre O’Brien, went to the store in May to address employees. “It is your right to join a union, but it is also your right not to join a union,” she said, according to an audio extract broadcast by the Vice site. She had assured that the presence of an intermediary would complicate the relationships between Apple and its employees. The Californian group, contacted by the France Press agency, refused to comment on the news. 2>
a booming unionism
It was not the first Apple Store to try to syndicate itself, but it is the first attempt that leads to a vote. On the decline for several decades, the unions have won several symbolic victories in the United States in recent months, starting with the explicit support of Joe Biden.
The creation of the first union in a Starbucks cafe directly managed by the channel in the United States in December aroused enthusiasm while employees, often young and educated, are mobilizing in NGOs, universities, museums, media.
At Amazon, employees of a New York warehouse created the surprise in early April by voting in favor of the creation of a union, a first for the group in the United States. But the company requested the cancellation of this result and the organization of a second ballot.