Tech giant, Apple, has been accused of sending out emails containing Anti-union scripts to its retail managers.
According to a report published by VICE, Apple allegedly sent managers documents containing talking points like “an outside union that doesn’t know Apple” or its culture, or “most union contracts give preference based on seniority.”
“The quality of your work may not even be a factor,” the talking points read. It has also instructed managers to tell workers that if they unionize, they could face “fewer opportunities,” have less “flexibility,” and that the company will pay “less attention to merit.”
The documents even state that employers could lose free college tuition benefits and support with their immigration status.
Unions ensure that standards for education, wages, working conditions and quality of life for workers are being met. Union-negotiated wages are generally higher compared to that of their non-union worker peers.
Earlier this month, employees at Apple’s Towson Town Center store in Maryland filed a request to hold a union election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Last month, employees from an Apple Store in Atlanta filed their own petition to hold a union election. Apple did agree and a vote is set to start on June 2.
When asked to comment on the report, Apple reiterated its previous stance on the matter.
“We are fortunate to have incredible retail team members and we deeply value everything they bring to Apple. We are pleased to offer very 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,” the statement reads.
