Apple Oklahoma City union secures new contract with pay hikes, better working conditions
A union representing Apple Store employees in Oklahoma City are celebrating after achieving its first collectively-bargained contract with Apple, the second in the U.S. to do so.
The Apple Retail Union-CWA Local 6016 has been working on a new collectively-bargained contract with Apple for some time. The agreement, which will last for three years, will grant workers with various terms to improve their employment situation.
With the members voting to ratify the contract on September 24, the union covering the Penn Square Mall Apple Store is only the second to secure such an agreement. The first was the Towson Town Square store in Maryland in August.
The new contract includes wage increases of up to 11.5% over the next three years. Jobs will also be protected in the event of a store closure or relocation, with severance pay.
There will be the establishment of joint Safety and Health and Working Relations committees, along with grievance and arbitration processes.
Workers will also be more involved in scheduling, and will be guaranteed paid time off to vote. There will also be guaranteed paid time off, health, and other benefits.
"It is exhilarating to finalize this bargaining process and know that after all the work we have done and all the obstacles that Apple has put in our way, we have finally secured the protection and improvements in pay and benefits that we deserve," said Genius Admin and union member Michael Forsythe. "We hope this sets an example for Apple's tens of thousands of retail workers that when we stand together, we have the power to make meaningful changes in our workplace."
The union, representing the 78 retail workers at the store, previously authorized a strike in August and picketed after months of delays in negotiations. The union says that later bargaining sessions in September were productive, with a tentative agreement made on September 6.
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