'Apple Together' group organizing corporate, retail walkout on Dec. 24

Posted:
in General Discussion edited December 2021
A group of Apple workers spanning not just the company's retail channel but AppleCare and corporate offices are organizing a walkout on Friday, Dec. 24 to demand better working conditions.

Apple Park at night
Apple Park at night


The walkout is being organized by Apple Together, a group of Apple employees that formerly used the #AppleToo moniker to air grievances about workplace conditions, harassment, and sexism at Apple. The group describes itself as "Apple workers in retail corporate, and AppleCare uniting to change" the company.

It isn't clear how many workers will be participating in the walkout, but the group is asking consumers to avoid shopping in stores or online in an effort to "demand that Apple upholds it image."

Calling all Apple workers and patrons!

Tomorrow, December 24th, 2021, Apple workers are staging a walkout/callout to demand better working conditions.

Strike funds are available for participants: https://t.co/xYESzWc196.

Don't cross the picket line.#AppleWalkout pic.twitter.com/U9OexqTLv9

-- Apple Together (@AppleLaborers)


Along with the strike, the Apple Together movement has also recently published a website that offers both resources and a Discord channel for employees wanting to organize and discuss their frustrations.

"Apple prides itself on its commitment to diversity, equity, and an environment where everyone can do their best work," the website reads. "But Apple has fallen short of this goal for so many of our current and former teammates, so we made space to share those stories with #AppleToo."

The group is also still accepting first-hand accounts of workplace conditions through its #AppleToo stories account on Medium.

Apple Together was first formed as the #AppleToo movement back in August. In just four days, the group collected around 500 stories of harassment and other workplace issues.

The U.S. National Labor Relations Board is reportedly investigating at least two complaints filed by Apple employees. The NLRB is also investigating the firing of Apple employees who spoke out about workplace conditions.

Read on AppleInsider
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 50
    JapheyJaphey Posts: 1,767member
    If they really wanted to make the headlines, they should have picked Black Friday or Cyber Monday to walk out and call for boycotts. 
    scout6900stevenozkillroywatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 50


    Don't like the conditions and your employer isn't breaking the law? Have conviction and quit. Walking off the job is a very different thing than a protest. By all means protest. Walk off the job? See you at the unemployment office.

    Odds are good Cher Scarlett is behind much of this.
    scout6900lkruppleavingthebiggmwhiteAlphaBravopalmlagstevenozgeorgie01AppleUfmyIradarthekat
  • Reply 3 of 50
    tommikele said:


    Don't like the conditions and your employer isn't breaking the law? Have conviction and quit. Walking off the job is a very different thing than a protest. By all means protest. Walk off the job? See you at the unemployment office.

    Odds are good Cher Scarlett is behind much of this.
    I’m not excusing Apple, but No job is perfect.  If there’s a bad manager then they should be let go.  The simple fact that Apple is giving to HBCUs and other gender equality organizations should be a testament to their corporate image.  

    Some folks really do have a victim hood mindset that every slight or miss promotions or perceive emotion is a grievance.  I don’t know this “ Cher Scarlett” lady, but according to Wiki (yeah I know) she has a history of jumping companies and filing lawsuits.  
    lkruppwilliamlondonbrantrockyelijahggeorgie01AppleUfmyIred oakradarthekatkillroybadmonk
  • Reply 4 of 50
    The charges all seem vague and really broad.  Am I wrong?   
    coolfactorbrantrockyradarthekatkillroyanantksundaramwatto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 50
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 2,783member
    In general I’m inclined to support workers taking a stand agains a big corporation. Usually their complaints have merit. We will see how far this goes though. 
    elijahgronnrobabablastdoorlarryjwkillroywatto_cobracuriousrun8
  • Reply 6 of 50
    red oakred oak Posts: 1,087member
    I’m going to go online tomorrow and order that  $4K MacBook Pro I’ve had my eye on

    And, need to hit the Apple store tomorrow and pick up 10 pairs of AirPods for the family
    mwhitecoolfactorAlphaBravogeorgie01radarthekatjibkillroywatto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 50
    The day before Christmas and they're walking out of stores that basically have no stock on most items anyways.  Not the smartest bunch are they?
    coolfactorentropysstevenozred oakcat52radarthekatkillroywatto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 50
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member
    tommikele said:


    Don't like the conditions and your employer isn't breaking the law? Have conviction and quit. Walking off the job is a very different thing than a protest. By all means protest. Walk off the job? See you at the unemployment office.
    Disagree pretty much entirely.  Be the change you want to see in the world, don't just turn your back on it.
    elijahgstevenozronnrobabablastdoorcuriousrun8
  • Reply 9 of 50
    JWSCJWSC Posts: 1,203member
    I follow a number of fruit stand employees on Twitter, mostly to gage the behind-the-scenes mood.  Many grip and complain.  But none that I follow have commented on or referenced Apple Together on Twitter.  A small sample to be sure.  But it may be telling.
    cat52radarthekatkillroywatto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 50
    tommikele said:


    Don't like the conditions and your employer isn't breaking the law? Have conviction and quit. Walking off the job is a very different thing than a protest. By all means protest. Walk off the job? See you at the unemployment office.

    Odds are good Cher Scarlett is behind much of this.
    I’m not excusing Apple, but No job is perfect.  If there’s a bad manager then they should be let go.  The simple fact that Apple is giving to HBCUs and other gender equality organizations should be a testament to their corporate image.  

    Some folks really do have a victim hood mindset that every slight or miss promotions or perceive emotion is a grievance.  I don’t know this “ Cher Scarlett” lady, but according to Wiki (yeah I know) she has a history of jumping companies and filing lawsuits.  
    The reality that you might not understand is that if there is a bad manager, Apple has not been taking action to let these people go. Also, there have been instances of Apple as an employer breaking the law directly through not allowing conversations of working conditions or wages to be talked about.

    I did quit, sent an email talking about wages and working conditions, and my email got deleted (by the bad manager) from the store's server. Pretty illegal if you ask me.

    It's a shame when individuals assume they know the scope of a situation without ever being in that situation themselves.
    williamlondonelijahgronnrobabablastdoorcat52killroy
  • Reply 11 of 50
    BoreDum said:
    tommikele said:


    Don't like the conditions and your employer isn't breaking the law? Have conviction and quit. Walking off the job is a very different thing than a protest. By all means protest. Walk off the job? See you at the unemployment office.

    Odds are good Cher Scarlett is behind much of this.
    I’m not excusing Apple, but No job is perfect.  If there’s a bad manager then they should be let go.  The simple fact that Apple is giving to HBCUs and other gender equality organizations should be a testament to their corporate image.  

    Some folks really do have a victim hood mindset that every slight or miss promotions or perceive emotion is a grievance.  I don’t know this “ Cher Scarlett” lady, but according to Wiki (yeah I know) she has a history of jumping companies and filing lawsuits.  
    The reality that you might not understand is that if there is a bad manager, Apple has not been taking action to let these people go. Also, there have been instances of Apple as an employer breaking the law directly through not allowing conversations of working conditions or wages to be talked about.

    I did quit, sent an email talking about wages and working conditions, and my email got deleted (by the bad manager) from the store's server. Pretty illegal if you ask me.

    It's a shame when individuals assume they know the scope of a situation without ever being in that situation themselves.
    An anecdote does not a rule make.
    coolfactorgeorgie01get seriousradarthekatwatto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 50
    BoreDum said:
    tommikele said:


    Don't like the conditions and your employer isn't breaking the law? Have conviction and quit. Walking off the job is a very different thing than a protest. By all means protest. Walk off the job? See you at the unemployment office.

    Odds are good Cher Scarlett is behind much of this.
    I’m not excusing Apple, but No job is perfect.  If there’s a bad manager then they should be let go.  The simple fact that Apple is giving to HBCUs and other gender equality organizations should be a testament to their corporate image.  

    Some folks really do have a victim hood mindset that every slight or miss promotions or perceive emotion is a grievance.  I don’t know this “ Cher Scarlett” lady, but according to Wiki (yeah I know) she has a history of jumping companies and filing lawsuits.  
    The reality that you might not understand is that if there is a bad manager, Apple has not been taking action to let these people go. Also, there have been instances of Apple as an employer breaking the law directly through not allowing conversations of working conditions or wages to be talked about.

    I did quit, sent an email talking about wages and working conditions, and my email got deleted (by the bad manager) from the store's server. Pretty illegal if you ask me.

    It's a shame when individuals assume they know the scope of a situation without ever being in that situation themselves.
    Although I have the feeling we don't agree on much of this and neither of us is likely to breach that divide, I do applaud you for following through on your convictions and principles.. If more did on all sides of this fence, mutual respect would grow and likely find common ground more often.

    That said ...

    Someone is a company deleting your email is "pretty illegal?" I don't think so unless it is destruction of evidence in a criminal, civil, EEOC, etc. action. The manager you mention had your email credentials? You made your complaint with the manager and not HR?. IT is my understanding from some in the company that Apple has a specified procedure for sending employee complaints. Not saying that delivers justice just that a system exists and did you use it? Yes, I know HR in any company can not be trusted by employees, even the higher ups. They will always screw the employee and protect the company. That their job. Fair and equitable outcomes is not at all what they do despite what they say in the handbook or whatever they call it these days. I am just not getting the full picture from what you are saying here

     Saying you can not discuss certain business matters is not illegal unless there is a labor law somewhere that gives you that right. Freedom of speech on someone else's property is a figment of the imagination. It is also my guess you signed an employment agreement or were informed what was taboo. You may not have read it in detail or seen the fine print, but these people are specialists in covering their rear ends.
    williamlondonJWSCgeorgie01watto_cobra
  • Reply 13 of 50
    scout6900 said:
    The charges all seem vague and really broad.  Am I wrong?   

    Yes, I have little sympathy for workers that *demand* money for doing nothing. Paid sick leave, I can understand that being a government-sponsored program. Expecting a company to just pay you for laying in bed, that's going too far. Yes, some companies offer that as a benefit, which is nice, but to demand it as a right doesn't sit right with me.

    I guess I'm looking at this as a self-employed person that needs to work any day of week, any time of day, just to grow my business. I'm not clocking in and clocking out. I'm on duty when my customers need me. If I want a raise, I need to work harder. If I want money to cover my sick time, I need to save.

    Another word for business is "trade", and employment is a trade of hard work for money. Money for nothing is not right.
    williamlondonAlphaBravostevenozgeorgie01cat52get seriousjfdesignswatto_cobra
  • Reply 14 of 50
    Unpopular opinion, but I'm growing tired of the entitlement being shown by some Apple staff. Disrupting retail shoppers and preventing them from making last minute purchases the day before Christmas is not the way to increase public support for their plight. 
    palmlagwilliamlondon9secondkox2stevenozgeorgie01AppleUfmyIcat52get seriousradarthekatred oak
  • Reply 15 of 50
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,152member
    Been picking up Australians in the workforce I see.
    Detnatorwatto_cobra
  • Reply 16 of 50
    Apple needs to see this nonsense of their staff is saying now. Apple has been supporting liberal courses and it now coming home to roost. 
    9secondkox2hexclockgeorgie01AlphaBravocat52red oakjfdesigns
  • Reply 17 of 50
    BoreDum said:
    tommikele said:


    Don't like the conditions and your employer isn't breaking the law? Have conviction and quit. Walking off the job is a very different thing than a protest. By all means protest. Walk off the job? See you at the unemployment office.

    Odds are good Cher Scarlett is behind much of this.
    I’m not excusing Apple, but No job is perfect.  If there’s a bad manager then they should be let go.  The simple fact that Apple is giving to HBCUs and other gender equality organizations should be a testament to their corporate image.  

    Some folks really do have a victim hood mindset that every slight or miss promotions or perceive emotion is a grievance.  I don’t know this “ Cher Scarlett” lady, but according to Wiki (yeah I know) she has a history of jumping companies and filing lawsuits.  
    The reality that you might not understand is that if there is a bad manager, Apple has not been taking action to let these people go. Also, there have been instances of Apple as an employer breaking the law directly through not allowing conversations of working conditions or wages to be talked about.

    I did quit, sent an email talking about wages and working conditions, and my email got deleted (by the bad manager) from the store's server. Pretty illegal if you ask me.

    It's a shame when individuals assume they know the scope of a situation without ever being in that situation themselves.
    Good for you, if you’re not happy w the work place, quit….if you have Apple stocks sell them too.
    williamlondonstevenozhexclockgeorgie01AppleUfmyIITGUYINSDjfdesignswatto_cobra
  • Reply 18 of 50
    BoreDum said:
    tommikele said:


    Don't like the conditions and your employer isn't breaking the law? Have conviction and quit. Walking off the job is a very different thing than a protest. By all means protest. Walk off the job? See you at the unemployment office.

    Odds are good Cher Scarlett is behind much of this.
    I’m not excusing Apple, but No job is perfect.  If there’s a bad manager then they should be let go.  The simple fact that Apple is giving to HBCUs and other gender equality organizations should be a testament to their corporate image.  

    Some folks really do have a victim hood mindset that every slight or miss promotions or perceive emotion is a grievance.  I don’t know this “ Cher Scarlett” lady, but according to Wiki (yeah I know) she has a history of jumping companies and filing lawsuits.  
    The reality that you might not understand is that if there is a bad manager, Apple has not been taking action to let these people go. Also, there have been instances of Apple as an employer breaking the law directly through not allowing conversations of working conditions or wages to be talked about.

    I did quit, sent an email talking about wages and working conditions, and my email got deleted (by the bad manager) from the store's server. Pretty illegal if you ask me.

    It's a shame when individuals assume they know the scope of a situation without ever being in that situation themselves.
    Really, you don’t know me bro.  So don’t ASSume to know what I’ve been through.  I’ve had terrible managers that threaten to physically fight me because I made a mistake.  I bought up my grievances but in the end corporate failed to address the issue.  They relocated me and said that I was the problem.  Now, if he would have hit me then, I would have Permanently disabled him by breaking his neck.  But in the end I left that job and found something much better.  

    However I don’t constantly re-live an event because it brings on victim hood.  It made me stronger as a person and taught me to not stuck with one employer.

      Reality is that Apple has over 100K employees, crap gets lost or deleted. I don't know all of the means that you applied for your grievance.  Like someone else said the comments, there's a path to file these things.  If you talked to your manager or sent an e-mail and it didn't go anywhere, then talk to his boss and keep running it up the ladder.  Or utilize the Human Resource department.  But good luck with that, typically HR is only going to protect those who will more likely cause damage to the brand or will sue. 

    Speaking of, If you still feel wronged by the company then get a lawyer and sue.  Go external if you can’t go internal. 

    I applaud the recent labor movement; however, I don't depend of people.  In the end of the day, I have to train people on how to treat me.  You can setup boundaries with your boss and don't have to tolerate crap.  Also keep a DETAILED log of any potential infraction and make sure you have people who are not AFRAID to back you up.
    edited December 2021 georgie01
  • Reply 19 of 50
    At the end of the day, corporate execs are never shy about asking employees to accept things like layoffs, pay cuts, benefit cuts, workload increases, etc. They're also aggressive about holding their hand out to government for tax breaks and special legal treatment. So I don't really see a problem with employees asking for some changes as well.
    edited December 2021 williamlondonronnrobabakillroy
  • Reply 20 of 50
    If an employee makes a claim of harassment to HR, HR is legally bound to conduct an investigation.  If HR does not do the investigation correctly or ignores it then the consequences are enormous. I would be very surprised that Apple are not following the rules.

    However, this system does require the affected employee to make a claim to HR.  They are protected by law from retaliation but have to make the first step.

    As far as work conditions go, that is very much down to perspective.  Apple is known for pushing its people hard.  From what I've heard, many employees who are WFH do not want to return to the office.  I am seeing that in my industry too and to some extent who can blame them. Why commute 2+ hours a day when you can do your work from home.  This is especially relevant for employees who have kids and have to do the drop off and back from school or child care. 
    williamlondonAppleUfmyIkojackcat52killroywatto_cobra
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