A leaked video message to the company's retail employees stated that a top Apple executive was concerned about unionization.
If a store is represented by a union under a collective bargaining agreement, it could fundamentally change the relationship Apple has with it.
About 270 stores in the US received a video message for 58,000 retail employees.
Vice said it got the audio from a source. The video is watermarked with a seemingly unique string of characters, presumably to identify anyone who leaked it to the press, according to the outlet.
In the audio, O'Brien said she thought a union would hurt Apple's relationship with its employees.
I worry about what it would mean to put another organization in the middle of our relationship, an organization that does not have a deep understanding of Apple or our business, and most importantly, one that I do not believe shares our commitment to you.
The company boosted sick days and parental leave in February, and O'Brien said that a union would make it harder to address employee concerns.
I want you to know that we are listening, O'Brien said.
Labor advocates in Unit say that these types of arguments are common when employers are trying to discourage employees from unionizing.
Apple has the beginnings of a retail labor movement. In April, Apple workers in Atlanta filed for a union election, which was the first for the company.
Apple is a positive place to work, but we know that the company can better live up to their ideals, according to a press release.
Vice reported that Apple sent anti-union talking points to store managers.
The Washington Post reported in April that Apple store employees in New York City were trying to unionize. The company is facing unionization efforts in Washington state and Maryland.
Apple did not respond immediately.
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