Apple Store employees in New Jersey are planning to unionize. And if anything about this development is true and successful, it would be the fifth Apple Store to form a union.
Apple Store Employees in New Jersey to Unionize
Another Apple Store is in the process of unionizing, this time involving a group of 104 employees at the Short Hills, New Jersey location. The employees have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to unionize, as reported by Bloomberg.
If successful, these Apple Store employees would become part of the Communications Workers of America, the union representing other Apple Store employees as well as employees from companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Frontier.
Other Apple Stores to Have Attempted Unionization
This isn’t the first time Apple Store employees have sought to unionize. In recent years, four other Apple Stores have attempted unionization, with only locations in Oklahoma City and Townson, Maryland, successfully forming unions.
However, Apple has faced challenges from the NLRB, including complaints regarding the extension of benefits and allegations of illegal interrogation of workers regarding pro-union activities in locations such as New York City and Atlanta, Georgia.
Reactions to This New Development
“We strongly believe forming a union is the best way to ensure all Apple workers receive the respect, pay, benefits, and working conditions we deserve,” an operations lead at Apple’s Short Hills, New Jersey retail location, John Nagy, in a statement says. “We call on Apple not to interfere in our ongoing organizing efforts and, instead, allow workers to freely determine for themselves whether to form a union.”
In a statement provided to Bloomberg, Apple emphasized that it has always paid its retail teams competitively, placing them in the top tier of the market. The company also highlighted its commitment to providing comprehensive benefits for both full-time and part-time employees.
However, Apple did not respond immediately to The Verge’s request for comment on the matter.
Workers at Apple’s New Jersey Store Will Need To Hold a Union Election
Despite the filing of the petition, the workers at Apple’s New Jersey store will still need to hold a union election. During this election, employees will vote on whether to join the union.
If the majority votes in favor, Apple will be obliged to engage in negotiations with the workers. However, this may pose a challenge for Apple, as it has not yet reached a bargaining agreement with its staff in Maryland and Oklahoma, as noted by Bloomberg.
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