Apple accused of union busting in its stores for the second time this week

Image: Apple

The flagship World Trade Center store in New York City has been accused of being union-busting. According to a complaint filed by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the iPhone-maker violated federal labor laws by interrogating workers about union activity, prohibiting employees from posting union flyers in shared spaces, and forcing workers to attend anti-union presentations.

It is the second time this week that the CWA has accused Apple of union busting, with similar complaints filed in Atlanta on Tuesday. The successful unionization of an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island is part of a wave of union organization in retail and tech sectors. Three Apple stores have launched union drives so far, though Apple does not currently have any retail unions in the US.

According to the New York City labor complaint against Apple, the company holds mandatory meetings with anti-union messages. In the past, captive audience meetings have been allowed up until 24 hours before a union vote, but the National Labor Relations Board recently changed their position on this issue, saying that meetings are coercive and a violation of federal labor law.

The deputy organizing director of the CWA said in a statement that Apple retail workers across the country are demanding a voice on the job and a seat at the table. Apple has responded like a typical American corporation with heavy-handed tactics designed to intimidate and coerce workers. The best thing Apple can do is allow workers to decide if they want a union.

According to a report by Vice, Apple has not taken a public stance on unionization in its stores, but it has been distributing anti-union talking points to managers and has hired lawyers from a firm known for anti-union cases.