Apple Hit With Complaint From National Labor Relations Board
The government agency issues a complaint over accusations Apple suppressed employees' efforts to unionize.
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Apple is facing accusations of workplace discrimination at a New York store.
The US National Labor Relations Board has filed a complaint against Apple over accusations that the tech company hampered union-organizing efforts at a store in New York City. The complaint involves allegations that Apple questioned employees about workplace activism and discriminated against workers by preventing the distribution of pro-union materials.
The NLRB complaint, filed Friday, "alleges that Apple discriminated against employees by applying a no solicitation policy only against employees who formed, joined or assisted the Union by prohibiting the placement of Union flyers on the breakroom table while permitting nonunion solicitations and distributions," a spokesperson for the agency said in an email. It also alleges that Apple "interrogated its employees about their support for the union and their protected concerted activities regarding their wages."
The complaint stems from a filing in May by the Communications Workers of America, which alleged that Apple violated several laws under the National Labor Relations Act.
Apple didn't respond to a request for comment on the NLRB complaint. An Apple spokesperson told The New York Times that Apple disagrees with the union's claims and looks "forward to presenting the facts." An NLRB judge has set a hearing for Dec. 13 and can order remedies, though Apple can appeal.
The CWA has also filed an unfair labor practice charge against Apple for allegedly surveilling and threatening employees ahead of a unionization election at Apple's Penn Square location in Oklahoma City. They are slated to vote on joining the Apple Retail Union/CWA on Oct. 14.
"Apple workers like us deserve a chance to negotiate and envision our future at the company we love so we can all thrive," said Michael Forsythe, who works at the Penn Square store. "At the end of the day, we all just want respect on the job and freedom from intimidation."
The CWA complaint, filed Wednesday with the NLRB, said Apple held "unlawful, mandatory captive audience meetings" about unionization and told employees that unionized stores "would not receive the same improvements to working conditions" as other stores. Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Retail workers at Apple stores throughout the US have sought to unionize, in cities including Atlanta, Baltimore, Oklahoma City and Louisville. In May, organizers for employees at an Apple Store in Atlanta withdrew their request for a union election, accusing Apple of union-busting activity. In June, Apple reportedly shared plans to roll out new policies for retail staff aimed at flexible schedules.
During the past year, Apple has faced several complaints from staff, including one from Janneke Parrish, a former employee who accused the company of firing her for encouraging colleagues to share stories about discrimination and harassment. Parrish filed her complaint with the NLRB in November 2021, following two other Apple employees who filed similar charges with the agency in September.
At the time of Parrish's filing, Apple said it takes all concerns seriously and investigates them thoroughly but doesn't discuss specific employee issues with the press out of a concern for privacy.