Report: Apple Hires Anti-Union Law Firm as Retail Workers Seek Union Votes
Apple Cumberland Mall Store - Image via Apple
26 APRIL 2022 - So, Monday felt like a bad day for the little guy. No, this is not the musky scent of Twitter dissent. Rather, it is news that Apple has lawyered up. “To fight congress?” you ask, “Or to fight the EU?” Actually, to fight unionization moves among retail employees. We heard here yesterday about moves to unionize two Apple stores - one in Atlanta, GA and one in New York, NY. Now, a piece from The Verge says:
Apple is working with anti-union lawyers at Littler Mendelson in an escalating fight with retail workers in Atlanta who have filed for a union election. Though the company has not publicly stated its stance on Apple Stores unionizing, the move sends a strong signal that it plans to oppose workers organizing for better pay and working conditions.
Littler Mendelson, by the way, is the same law firm working with Starbucks against employee moves to unionize its stores, according to the report.
The Atlanta Apple store employees are trying to unionize with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). Responding to the law firm news, CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens said:
By retaining the notorious union busting firm Littler Mendelson, Apple’s management is showing that they intend to try to prevent their employees from exercising their right to join a union by running the same playbook as other large corporations… The workers at Starbucks, another Littler client, aren’t falling for it and neither will the workers at Apple.
For its part, Apple declined to address its relationship with the law firm. Instead, Apple spokesperson Nick Leahy issued a statement, saying:
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.
