The US Labor Board says Apple Illegally Withheld Benefits From Union Workers

Apple is facing charges from the federal labor board after it excluded unionized retail workers from a benefits boost last year, reports Bloomberg.

A National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regional director lodged a complaint Tuesday based on charges that the tech giant violated federal labor laws by refusing to give unionized workers at an Apple store in Towson, Md., enhanced benefits in 2022, the article adds. 

Following that alleged exclusion, the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM), filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. IAMAW accuses Apple of using the new benefits to discourage staff from joining a union.

These allegations are all part of Apple’s ongoing issues with unionization. In June the NLRB ruled that Apple “coercively interrogated” store employees at its World Trade Center store who wanted to unionize.

A NLRB judge ruled that the tech giant violated the rights of its staff at the store, and must “cease and desist,” writing that Apple violated the rights of employees at its World Trade Center store in New York City, one of several around the country where workers waged union campaigns last year.

And in May, Apple, Starbucks, Trader Joe’s and REI were accused of targeting union supporters after organizing efforts gained traction, charges the companies deny, according to The New York Times (a subscription is required to read the entire article).

The NYT claims to have spoken to multiple former Apple Store employees who allege they were fired for their role in unionization efforts. The report also compares Apple’s efforts to what similar companies like Starbucks have done over the last several years.

In a statement to the NYT, Apple denied the accusations made by these former employees. The company said that it has not “disciplined or fired any workers” for union activity.