Apple worker walkout organizers issue demands, size of strike unclear

AppleInsider · December 24, 2021 7:03PM

Apple corporate and retail workers are holding a walkout on Christmas Eve to demand better working conditions and have issued a list of demands -- but it isn't clear how many staffers are participating.

Apple Park

The labor walkout, called for on Thursday and executed on Friday, urges consumers not to shop in stores or online. It calls for Apple to meet a number of demands, including hazard pay, benefits for part-time workers, and protections from "abusive customers."

We, the Apple workers need more from our Employer.

This is what we request with #AppleWalkout pic.twitter.com/yndO06t4Wo
-- Apple Together (@AppleLaborers)
December 24, 2021

Amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the walkout also calls for N95 masks for all, sanitizer stations, and customer shopping by appointment only.

There's little indication as to the actual size of the walkout, however. AppleInsider contacted 10 Apple Store locations on the east coast, with most of them stating that only "one or two" employees were absent from work because of the call. A few said all of their employees were at work on Friday.

The walkout was organized by Apple Together, a collection of company staffers that previously operated under the moniker #AppleToo to air grievances about sexual harassment and workplace conditions at Apple.

Apple has seen increasing activism from its employees in 2021. The #AppleToo movement formed earlier in the year to bring light to allegations of sexual harassment, assault, and racism within the company's ranks. Apple staffers have also lobbied the company to provide more flexible work options -- a demand largely ignored by the company.

The U.S. National Labor Relations Board is currently investigating at least two complaints against Apple. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Labor is also probing the firing of an employee who spoke out against workplace issues.

Read on AppleInsider

quazze · December 24, 2021 7:08PM

Benefits for part-time employees? What a joke. What company offers that? Maybe one percent, if that?

red oak · December 24, 2021 7:34PM

LoL. Okay snowflakes, go for it!!

mcdave · December 24, 2021 7:45PM

Invoke the abandonment clauses.

Not sure if it’s related to this article but I love the irony of workers insisting on remote working conditions. Why have an expensive remote worker in California when you can have a cheap remote worker in Argentina?

These #XXXToo self-entitlement initiatives are deliciously self-defeating.

genovelle · December 24, 2021 8:09PM

mcdave said:

Invoke the abandonment clauses.

Not sure if it’s related to this article but I love the irony of workers insisting on remote working conditions. Why have an expensive remote worker in California when you can have a cheap remote worker in Argentina?

These #XXXToo self-entitlement initiatives are deliciously self-defeating.

You make an excellent point.

pslice · December 24, 2021 8:24PM

Fire them. I’ve always wanted to work for Apple.

unknownorigin · December 24, 2021 8:54PM

I literally had to make an account to type this comment cause all the other comments on here are just… wow! People really don’t give a crap about each other anymore do they? For all those on here calling to “fire every one of them” why don’t y’all do your research before you go on your computer and type out nonsense comments not knowing what you’re talking about or being in their shoes? It seems to me you all are the entitled ones that expect everything to be done for them no matter the cost or consequences to others. That’s what happens when you have a capitalist economy with no oversight or consequences for multi-billion dollar companies that nickel and dime their employees - who by the way, if they didn’t have these employees they wouldn’t continue to be in business or successful. Asking for part-time benefits when the majority of the retail workforce is part-time is not asking for too much, it’s asking for the bare minimum. In fact apple is a multi-trillion dollar company that can easily afford to give all employees some level of benefits. Hell even best buy gives part-time employees PTO - sure it’s not much, but Apple’s profits+revenue far outweigh any other retail or tech company in the world let alone America. So while you continue defending a multi-trillion dollar company that is literally squeezing their workforce dry with ZERO additional benefits, hazard pay, or protections (let’s not forget all the other illegal labor they’re part of in China) just for the sake of the “customer” (see: profits and shareholders) - the people who actually understand these issues and feel for these people will continue to support the movement for EVERY EMPLOYEE at EVERY COMPANY to stand up for their right; cause guess what? People don’t have to settle anymore. There are literally hundreds of other companies that will gladly take anyone who has Apple on their resume. Apple isn’t the Eden of workplaces. It is not the savior of the people. It’s a company. That only cares about their bottom line. And the employees that enable that bottom line deserve more respect and benefits and not fearing for their lives whenever they go to their stores and a customer refuses to wear a mask and causes a scene. I bet none of you commenters on here ever experienced that kind of risk and desperation between needing money and work and standing up for your rights.

edited December 2021

skeptical · December 24, 2021 9:33PM

Welcome to working in America. -SMH-

red oak · December 24, 2021 10:04PM

unknownorigin said:

I literally had to make an account to type this comment cause all the other comments on here are just… wow! People really don’t give a crap about each other anymore do they? For all those on here calling to “fire every one of them” why don’t y’all do your research before you go on your computer and type out nonsense comments not knowing what you’re talking about or being in their shoes? It seems to me you all are the entitled ones that expect everything to be done for them no matter the cost or consequences to others. That’s what happens when you have a capitalist economy with no oversight or consequences for multi-billion dollar companies that nickel and dime their employees - who by the way, if they didn’t have these employees they wouldn’t continue to be in business or successful. Asking for part-time benefits when the majority of the retail workforce is part-time is not asking for too much, it’s asking for the bare minimum. In fact apple is a multi-trillion dollar company that can easily afford to give all employees some level of benefits. Hell even best buy gives part-time employees PTO - sure it’s not much, but Apple’s profits+revenue far outweigh any other retail or tech company in the world let alone America. So while you continue defending a multi-trillion dollar company that is literally squeezing their workforce dry with ZERO additional benefits, hazard pay, or protections (let’s not forget all the other illegal labor they’re part of in China) just for the sake of the “customer” (see: profits and shareholders) - the people who actually understand these issues and feel for these people will continue to support the movement for EVERY EMPLOYEE at EVERY COMPANY to stand up for their right; cause guess what? People don’t have to settle anymore. There are literally hundreds of other companies that will gladly take anyone who has Apple on their resume. Apple isn’t the Eden of workplaces. It is not the savior of the people. It’s a company. That only cares about their bottom line. And the employees that enable that bottom line deserve more respect and benefits and not fearing for their lives whenever they go to their stores and a customer refuses to wear a mask and causes a scene. I bet none of you commenters on here ever experienced that kind of risk and desperation between needing money and work and standing up for your rights.

Cher, be sure to take your meds

bloggerblog · December 24, 2021 10:09PM

@unknownorigin um some of us here do work at Apple and believe it’s an awesome company to work for. Yes we are people and our managers do their best to assure a good work life balance and fair pay. It is really stupid to go and place blame and publicly sue just to get some attention. What do you expect to happen next? Ungrateful employees will always whine no matter what privileges they’re given.

jfc_pa · December 24, 2021 10:47PM

The one employee abuse (imho) that isn’t mentioned here but does involve part time is when employers deliberately scatter hours among a large number of part time workers precisely to avoid having the expenses associated with a full time employee.

that’s common in the food services industry but they’re suffering the consequences as they’re scrap jobs go unfilled. Though that’s taken decades and government complicity in that has to end. Federal minimum wage for tipped workers? $2.13 per hour.

ETA: appointment only shopping? They realize the need for their services gets cut by the reduced demand were Apple to change its stores over to that?

edited December 2021

anilu_777 · December 25, 2021 12:26AM

unknownorigin said:

I literally had to make an account to type this comment cause all the other comments on here are just… wow! People really don’t give a crap about each other anymore do they? For all those on here calling to “fire every one of them” why don’t y’all do your research before you go on your computer and type out nonsense comments not knowing what you’re talking about or being in their shoes? It seems to me you all are the entitled ones that expect everything to be done for them no matter the cost or consequences to others. That’s what happens when you have a capitalist economy with no oversight or consequences for multi-billion dollar companies that nickel and dime their employees - who by the way, if they didn’t have these employees they wouldn’t continue to be in business or successful. Asking for part-time benefits when the majority of the retail workforce is part-time is not asking for too much, it’s asking for the bare minimum. In fact apple is a multi-trillion dollar company that can easily afford to give all employees some level of benefits. Hell even best buy gives part-time employees PTO - sure it’s not much, but Apple’s profits+revenue far outweigh any other retail or tech company in the world let alone America. So while you continue defending a multi-trillion dollar company that is literally squeezing their workforce dry with ZERO additional benefits, hazard pay, or protections (let’s not forget all the other illegal labor they’re part of in China) just for the sake of the “customer” (see: profits and shareholders) - the people who actually understand these issues and feel for these people will continue to support the movement for EVERY EMPLOYEE at EVERY COMPANY to stand up for their right; cause guess what? People don’t have to settle anymore. There are literally hundreds of other companies that will gladly take anyone who has Apple on their resume. Apple isn’t the Eden of workplaces. It is not the savior of the people. It’s a company. That only cares about their bottom line. And the employees that enable that bottom line deserve more respect and benefits and not fearing for their lives whenever they go to their stores and a customer refuses to wear a mask and causes a scene. I bet none of you commenters on here ever experienced that kind of risk and desperation between needing money and work and standing up for your rights.

They’re asking for full-time benefits for part-time workers. That’s a no. No retail worker gets that. Their entitlement is showing. Also N95’s for all?! Healthcare workers on the front line need them. That’s a total joke.

edited December 2021

tedz98 · December 25, 2021 12:42AM

Apple is a very hypocritical company. They virtue signal about the environment, recycling, LGBTQ equality, diversity, etc. Yet they tend to treat their lower level employees in fairly mediocre ways. For instance Apple should strive to have nothing but full-time workers in their retail stores with a relatively small percentage of part-time workers. This would offer the staff more opportunities for career growth and advancement. It’s certainly easier to manage a smaller number of full-time staff. Apple’s wealth is beyond comprehension. They could set an example of giving part-time staff better benefits. And they should give much stronger consideration to diversifying their supply chain and reduce their reliance on China for manufacturing. China is home to an extremely repressive government and China’s behavior should not be rewarded. And a final thought- Merry Christmas!

hexclock · December 25, 2021 1:31AM

Full time benefits for part time workers. Are they nuts? Go f yourselves, seriously.

hexclock · December 25, 2021 1:34AM

Anilu_777 said:

unknownorigin said:

I literally had to make an account to type this comment cause all the other comments on here are just… wow! People really don’t give a crap about each other anymore do they? For all those on here calling to “fire every one of them” why don’t y’all do your research before you go on your computer and type out nonsense comments not knowing what you’re talking about or being in their shoes? It seems to me you all are the entitled ones that expect everything to be done for them no matter the cost or consequences to others. That’s what happens when you have a capitalist economy with no oversight or consequences for multi-billion dollar companies that nickel and dime their employees - who by the way, if they didn’t have these employees they wouldn’t continue to be in business or successful. Asking for part-time benefits when the majority of the retail workforce is part-time is not asking for too much, it’s asking for the bare minimum. In fact apple is a multi-trillion dollar company that can easily afford to give all employees some level of benefits. Hell even best buy gives part-time employees PTO - sure it’s not much, but Apple’s profits+revenue far outweigh any other retail or tech company in the world let alone America. So while you continue defending a multi-trillion dollar company that is literally squeezing their workforce dry with ZERO additional benefits, hazard pay, or protections (let’s not forget all the other illegal labor they’re part of in China) just for the sake of the “customer” (see: profits and shareholders) - the people who actually understand these issues and feel for these people will continue to support the movement for EVERY EMPLOYEE at EVERY COMPANY to stand up for their right; cause guess what? People don’t have to settle anymore. There are literally hundreds of other companies that will gladly take anyone who has Apple on their resume. Apple isn’t the Eden of workplaces. It is not the savior of the people. It’s a company. That only cares about their bottom line. And the employees that enable that bottom line deserve more respect and benefits and not fearing for their lives whenever they go to their stores and a customer refuses to wear a mask and causes a scene. I bet none of you commenters on here ever experienced that kind of risk and desperation between needing money and work and standing up for your rights.

They’re asking for full-time benefits for part-time workers. That’s a no. No retail worker gets that. Their entitlement is showing. Also N95’s for all?! Healthcare workers on the front line need them. That’s a total joke.

People that work in hazardous, dusty conditions (silica dust) need N95’s too, and unlike retail employees, we get fined thousands of dollars by OSHA if we don’t use them.

These people are making demands with no bargaining power. They have no union. If you want to negotiate that kind of thing, quit retail and get a union job.

hexclock · December 25, 2021 1:40AM

unknownorigin said:

I literally had to make an account to type this comment cause all the other comments on here are just… wow! People really don’t give a crap about each other anymore do they? For all those on here calling to “fire every one of them” why don’t y’all do your research before you go on your computer and type out nonsense comments not knowing what you’re talking about or being in their shoes? It seems to me you all are the entitled ones that expect everything to be done for them no matter the cost or consequences to others. That’s what happens when you have a capitalist economy with no oversight or consequences for multi-billion dollar companies that nickel and dime their employees - who by the way, if they didn’t have these employees they wouldn’t continue to be in business or successful. Asking for part-time benefits when the majority of the retail workforce is part-time is not asking for too much, it’s asking for the bare minimum. In fact apple is a multi-trillion dollar company that can easily afford to give all employees some level of benefits. Hell even best buy gives part-time employees PTO - sure it’s not much, but Apple’s profits+revenue far outweigh any other retail or tech company in the world let alone America. So while you continue defending a multi-trillion dollar company that is literally squeezing their workforce dry with ZERO additional benefits, hazard pay, or protections (let’s not forget all the other illegal labor they’re part of in China) just for the sake of the “customer” (see: profits and shareholders) - the people who actually understand these issues and feel for these people will continue to support the movement for EVERY EMPLOYEE at EVERY COMPANY to stand up for their right; cause guess what? People don’t have to settle anymore. There are literally hundreds of other companies that will gladly take anyone who has Apple on their resume. Apple isn’t the Eden of workplaces. It is not the savior of the people. It’s a company. That only cares about their bottom line. And the employees that enable that bottom line deserve more respect and benefits and not fearing for their lives whenever they go to their stores and a customer refuses to wear a mask and causes a scene. I bet none of you commenters on here ever experienced that kind of risk and desperation between needing money and work and standing up for your rights.

So should every employee at the mall get hazard pay? How old are the average Apple retail kids, 20? They have almost ZERO chance of dying from Covid. Like I said, making demands when you have no bargain power is senseless.

appleufmyi · December 25, 2021 1:52AM

I am all for making staff full time and giving them benefits. Having several part time jobs to make ends meet just stinks. In the end, Apple doesn’t build enough Apple stores either and constrains the availability of repair appointments and such. We have 2 Apple stores that service and the region with 3 million people. It’s a lose for the employee and a lose for the customer. Every time they send me a post visit survey I provide feedback that their staff just can’t keep up with demand which creates visceral responses from angry customers that can’t get what they need. Getting a phone repaired Is just a nightmare here. Not sure I would punish the customers and perhaps find another method like leveraging social media. Good luck Apple employees and Merry Christmas!

baconstang · December 25, 2021 2:10AM

So, I guess the turnout was more Mini than ProMax?

get serious · December 25, 2021 2:55AM

Apple retail employees, including Part time, employees do get benefits. Pretty nice ones. Sick play, vacation pay, stock purchase plan, 401k, products discounts personal and family/friends. Also healthcare and life insurance. Tuition subsidies. And more. Pretty darn good for retail and best I’ve ever had in 30 years of working in the world.
As for opportunities - they are there, but I think many employees over estimate how many opening there are. Many new employees have dreams of working in Cupertino. With 100 to 300 employees per store and 500 stores there are more retail employees than in all of Cupertino. The road to corporate is riddled with unqualified people that full of themselves.

micdorsey · December 25, 2021 3:30AM

Want to walk out? Great, keep going.

longpath · December 25, 2021 4:36AM

The entitlement of people with little to no comprehension of supply and demand, let alone the rest of basic economics has a high correlation with absurd demands that have little to no chance of being fulfilled. Typically when such economic illiterates fail to get their way, they use the state to threaten violence by proxy to coerce their objectives into being, so I expect that will be coming next.

edited December 2021

Apple worker walkout organizers issue demands, size of strike unclear

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