Last Updated on December 20, 2022, 11:28 AM | Published: September 17, 2022
OKLAHOMA CITY (Free Press) — Apple Store workers at Penn Square Mall are now organizing for the upcoming official vote earned by a successful petition in September.
Votes on workforce representation by a union are carried out by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) after at least 30% of the workers sign an official petition to the NLRB. But, most unionizing efforts push for far more signatures than that to ensure that challenges don’t sink the whole effort. About 70% of the OKC Apple Store employees signed their petition.
The workers in Oklahoma City are getting support and advice from the Communications Workers of America (CWA) for the upcoming vote October 14 and 15.
What do they want?
On Apple’s Penn Square labor website, they state, “It is our collective vision to strive toward a future in which Apple’s retail workers are able to thrive in an environment that renews its focus on putting people before process.”
The website lists exactly what they’re looking for, which includes things such as:
- “fair compensation,”
- “career development,”
- “equity”.
“It is our belief that great value is added to a company when its people are truly represented. Our mission is to see to it that Apple continues to strive toward success and excellence while being reminded to give more than it takes,” the statement says.
‘At odds’
Michael Forsythe, Genius Admin and organizer at the Penn Square Apple Store, told Free Press, “I think the most prominent challenge is simply the fact that none of us have done this before, and we’re really at odds with Littler Mendelson, an incredibly prominent law firm that has decades of experience in dealing with this.”
Forsythe praised the CWA for “incredible guidance” and providing access to other Apple workers nationally who have already been through their campaigns.
“While that may help us know what to expect there’s still a very disproportionate allocation of resources when you compare a nationwide multi-million dollar law firm against a team of about a hundred employees who are doing this without pay because it’s what we’re passionate about,” said Forsythe.
Despite the challenges, Forsythe remains optimistic.
“Not only are we at a very opportune time to make this happen, we’ve also laid an incredibly solid foundation,” said Forsythe. “The anti-union push will be about causing division, and I believe we have a great game plan to deal with that.”
“The last thing we want is any kind of rift or divide, he continued. “That’s the exact opposite of what a union is, and I think we’re doing an incredible job in that space.”
Union actions expanding
Earlier this year, Atlanta Apple Retail workers became the first Apple employees to file for a union election.
Since filing, Apple has initiated a national anti-union campaign with the help of Littler Mendelson. Using the consultants’ expertise, the company has distributed talking points for store managers in a bid to fight unionization.
In response to some practices of the anti-union campaign, the CWA has filed two Unfair Labor Practices charges. One of the charges is from the Atlanta Apple Store, where Apple is accused of holding captive audience meetings.
The second charge comes from the workers of the World Trade Center Apple Store in New York City. They alleged that Apple management have been interrogating, and surveilling staff. Both charges have yet to be adjudicated.
Apple Retail is only the latest company where workers are pushing for unionization.
It comes as new gains are made by the labor movement from workers in companies such as Starbucks and Amazon.
Starbucks’ workers cheer efforts
Earlier this year, Starbucks executives found themselves responding to a push for unionization by their baristas across the U.S who were organizing under the name “Starbucks Workers United” with the help of the seasoned union Workers United. In Oklahoma City, baristas at several Starbucks locations had successful petitions calling for a vote.
Eventually, the workers in OKC at Nichols Hills Starbucks, N.W. 23rd St. Starbucks, and May – N.W. 36th Starbucks won their vote for union representation. The next step is negotiations and a workers’ vote on a proposed contract, which is always the hardest part of the process.
Alisha Humphrey, Starbucks partner in the Nichols Hill store talked to Free Press about the OKC Apple Store employees’ successful petition.
“I’m ecstatic they decided to make their voices heard and unionize,” said Humphrey. “My advice would be to inoculate and stay organized as the company will inevitably push back and try to sway people before their election.”
For more information from the OKC Apple Store organizers’ visit pennsquarelabor.org.
Alex Gatley covers labor activities in the state of Oklahoma.
