According to a copy of the stipulated election agreement, Apple Store employees have reached an agreement with the company to hold a union election on June 2nd in Atlanta.
The development marks a significant move forward in the employee-led push to join the CWA (Communications Workers of America). If the push is successful, the location of Cumberland Mall will become the first unionized retail location of Apple retail in the United States.
It was the first Apple retail outlet in the United States to register for a union election in April. For those unaware, the union drive was started by workers at the Grand Central Terminal store in New York and those at Maryland’s Towson Town Center store.
According to people familiar with the situation, Apple pushed for the vote to be held in July. The CWA argued that delaying the ballot would give Apple more opportunity to discourage workers from unionizing.
While Apple hasn't explicitly stated that it opposes workers organizing, it is collaborating with the same anti-union lawyers from Littler Mendelson that represented McDonald's and Starbucks.
Last month, organizers published a letter outlining their vision for what it should be like to work at Apple, as well as specific improvements they want the firm to make.
They said they want a range of changes, including higher pay, cost of living adjustments, greater career development opportunities for retail workers, and stricter enforcement of health & safety rules, particularly concerning COVID-19.
It is worth mentioning here that the voting period will run from June 2nd through June 4th. Workers will not be able to vote via mail because the election will be held in person. The election will be open to all regular full and part-time employees, a total of about 100 persons.
Reliable sources have cited that over 70% of people have signed authorization cards in support of the union.
Source Credit:
https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/3/23055452/apple-retail-store-atlanta-union-vote-date-set-june-cwa