Apple is in hot waters again as the Communications Workers of America (CWA) filed a second Unfair Labor Practice charge against Apple this week.
The labor union is accusing the tech giant of violating multiple federal labor laws at its flagship World Trade Center store in New York City.
The complaint claims that Apple violated U.S. federal labor law by interrogating workers at the WTC store regarding their "protected concerted activities."
Allegedly, Apple also monitored those activities or at least made employees believe that they were being watched. Based on the group's filing, those incidents happened on or about May 3.
The CWA also alleged in a May 17 filing with the National Labor Relations Board that Apple restricted the posting of union fliers and required employees to attend mandatory anti-union speeches.
Apple Store Workers Started Planning To Unionize To Increase Their Pay
Earlier this year, to get Apple to increase their salary, Apple Store workers across the U.S. started planning to unionize. According to the workers, their current pay isn't keeping up with the cost of living.
In response to the movement of the workers to unionize, Apple reportedly hired the anti-union law firm, Littler Mendelson. Starbucks and McDonald's are some of the firm's clients.
According to a Motherboard report, as cited by Engadget, the company also recently started providing its Store managers with anti-union talking points. Managers are apparently instructed to tell employees that they could lose career opportunities, personal time off, and work flexibility if they join a union.
On May 17, The CWA also filed an Unfair Labor Practice complaint against Apple on behalf of workers at the Cumberland Mall store. The group accused the company of holding mandatory captive audience meetings, as per Engadget.
The meeting is regarding the upcoming union election for the Atlanta location scheduled to take place in early June.
Tim Dubnau, CWA's Deputy Organizing Director, said: "Apple retail workers across the country are demanding a voice on the job and a seat at the table. Unfortunately, and in contradiction to its stated values, Apple has responded like a typical American corporation with heavy-handed tactics designed to intimidate and coerce workers."
Furthermore, Dubnau said that the best thing Apple can do is allow workers to choose for themselves whether or not they want a union.
Read Also: Remember the Apple Exec Against the Strict Return-to-Office Policy? He's Now With Google
Apple Reiterates That It Values the Contribution of the Employees
When asked about the filing, an Apple spokesperson responded with a previous comment saying the company deeply values the contributions of its retail employees.
"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," Apple said.
According to The Star, Apple Store employees working with several different national unions have recently announced unionization effort.
They have extended a wave of retail and tech organizing. It has included surprising victories at a Staten Island Amazon.com Inc warehouse and dozens of Starbucks Corp cafes.
Related Article: Apple Staff Make Bid for First Union - How Much Does the Union Organizers Want Workers To Be Paid?
