Apple hires anti-union lawyers in escalating union fight

Apple is working with anti-union lawyers at Littler Mendelson in an escalating fight with retail workers in Atlanta who have filed for a union election. Though the company has not publicly stated its stance on Apple Stores unionizing, the move sends a strong signal that it plans to oppose workers organizing for better pay and working conditions.

Littler is representing Starbucks in its fight against worker organizing. McDonald's was accused of violating labor laws by retaliating against workers who participated in the Fight for $15 campaign.

One current retail employee who is not authorized to speak publicly about the company said that unionization was a good thing from the beginning. They are open to feedback but nobody acts on it. With a union behind them, they will be more pressure on them to act.

Apple retail workers at the Cumberland Mall in Atlanta filed for a union election last week. The Communications Workers of America are organizing the employees. The activity at Apple Stores across the country was set off by the move.

By retaining the notorious union busting firm Littler Mendelson, Apple's management is showing that they intend to try to prevent their employees from exercising their right to join a union.

Littler is open about how it helps companies avoid unions. The firm instructs companies on what they can and cannot do to discourage workers from organizing, including telling employees to vote, and prohibiting the distribution of pro-union literature.

The handbook states that companies can ban union organizing during work hours.

One worker at an Apple store in New York said the company has held captive audience meetings.

Retail staff have had to contend with mental health crises and COVID-19 outbreaks in the last two years.

Littler can help companies identify union activity. A handbook section on recognizing subtle signs of union activity shows a rise in the number of employee group conversations and the tendency for discussions to stop suddenly when a supervisor approaches. When the dynamics suddenly change and a new leader appears, he or she may be the primary union organizer in the company. The new leader might be the one who made the first contact with the union, or the one who planted the union in the facility to organize the employees.

Apple wouldn't comment on its relationship with Littler. Nick Leahy, an Apple spokesman, said in a statement that they value everything that retail team members bring to Apple. We offer 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.