Apple received a report coming directly from its physical store, the World Trade Center Store, in New York. Who filled out the document was the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), an independent company that aims to protect the rights of employees in the US private sector. The complaint points out that the apple house discriminated against employees interested in possible unionization.
According to Kayla Blado, a spokeswoman for the NLRB, the company has discriminated against the professionals in its retail stores. Apparently, Apple has prevented union flyers from being left on break room tables, even though papers on other subjects are allowed.
In addition, employees said in the complaint that interrogations focused on “union support” and “activities around salary discussions” took place at the physical store. Something potentially uncomfortable and intended to scare employees.
Investigations by the NLRB began in May 2022, after a statement delivered to Apple store managers. In it, there are discreet threats to workers, discouraging initiatives from unions to associations.
If the apple house doesn’t reach an agreement as soon as possible, it will have to attend a hearing with an administrative law judge at the National Labor Relations Board on December 13th. The objective is to force the company to inform professionals of their rights and offer training to supervisors.
Fight for unionization in the US is nothing new
It is not new that workers seek more rights alongside associations in the United States. Demanding better working conditions, democratization and salary negotiations is almost taboo in the land of the American dream.
In August 2021, for example, Amazon was accused of threaten its employees who were in the process of union election. As a result, many people would have voted against the association.
Activision Blizzard did not like anything that the game’s developers Call of Duty: Warzone have been in favor of the unionization claim. Thus, the company (which is not new to the controversies), decided to send a statement listing the disadvantages of the action to try to reduce the onslaught.
Of course, I can’t leave out Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla. In March 2022, the boss challenged a labor union to form a union at the company’s factory. He urged the United Auto Workers (UAW) to rally workers in a unit in California after a speech by President Joe Biden.
The issue of organizing professionals is something complicated in the US, as it gives the feeling of “taking power away” from the owner. Arguments like supply and demand and freedom of choice are strong in Uncle Sam’s land, requiring more than just goodwill to break those fundamentals.
With information: The Verge.
https://tecnoblog.net/noticias/2022/10/05/apple-e-acusada-de-fazer-discriminacao-para-repelir-formacao-de-sindicatos/