Apple workers plan a walkout on Christmas Eve
Employees are asking customers not to cross any picket line.
- I've been covering technology and mobile for 12 years, first as a telecommunications reporter and assistant editor at ZDNet in Australia, then as CNET's West Coast head of breaking news, and now in the Thought Leadership team.
Apple Together, a group of corporate and retail workers, said on Thursday that employees would stage a walkout on Christmas Eve "to demand better working conditions." The Apple employees are asking customers not to cross the picket line or to shop at Apple on Dec. 24, the group said on Twitter.
"We deserve a respectful workplace. We deserve paid sick time. We deserve protection on the frontlines. We deserve proper mental healthcare," the tweet said. "Demand that Apple upholds its image with your wallet. Don't shop in stores. Don't shop online."
The group updated its demands on Friday, calling for better pay, health insurance and time off, as well as specific improvements in working conditions to address the COVID-19. Apple Together made the demands public in a tweet.
We, the Apple workers need more from our Employer.
— Apple Together (@AppleLaborers) December 24, 2021
This is what we request with #AppleWalkout pic.twitter.com/yndO06t4Wo
The planned walkout comes amid increasing employee activism at Apple this year over alleged sexual harassment and other workplace issues.
Cher Scarlett, an Apple software engineer who became the public face of the #AppleToo movement, published a piece on Medium in August alleging that sexual harassment, assault and racism complaints are being ignored by Apple management. Scarlett left the company in November.
In July, employees started a petition asking for more flexible working conditions amid calls to return to the office during the COVID-19 pandemic. Apple last week delayed its return to work indefinitely following the emergence of the highly infectious omicron variant as cases began to rapidly rise again.
The US Department of Labor is investigating Apple over allegations from a former employee that the company retaliated against her when she raised concerns over unsafe working conditions and workplace harassment.
Apple didn't respond to a request for comment.
CNET's Andrew Morse contributed to this report.