They formed the first Apple store alliance in the country. Now, employees say they are barred from receiving certain benefits

Employees of the Apple store in Towson, Maryland, filed a formal complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against the company Wednesday, alleging that Apple is excluding them from certain benefits and The company made a “calculated” move to thwart further coalition efforts.

In June, employees voted 65-33 to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, making them the first Apple store employees in the country to unite. Their concerns include compensation, equity, and COVID-19 safety.

Last Thursday, Union sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook, saying the company had excluded them from receiving “certain medical and educational benefits offered to all other Apple employees.”

The newly formed union filed the Unfair Labor Practices charge Wednesday for the alleged exclusion, kicking off a process in which district attorneys and assessors investigate the company’s allegation. group. About 18,000 Unfair Labor Practice allegations were filed with the NLRB in 2022, and overall about half of the charges were withdrawn or dismissed, according to the panel.

“One of the reasons employees at Towson join the IAM is because they know our union will use all resources to protect them. We hope that this will not be the normal procedure before. as we sit down with Apple at the negotiating table,” David Sullivan, IAM Eastern Territory Vice President, said in a statement. “Our members at Towson want to be heard in the workplace, and securing a first contract would be the first step toward that goal.”

Apple’s corporate communications office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company previously said it offers strong compensation and benefits to all the time and part-time employees, including health care, tuition reimbursement, new parents’ leave, paid family leave, annual stock allowance and other benefits. The company pays a minimum of $20 per hour.

The union’s letter said leaders at other Apple stores had told employees that union employees were not eligible for the benefits in question, but the union argued that was misleading because any such interest will be included in their bargaining offer when the contract is negotiated. The letter said the decision was made days before an Apple store in Oklahoma was set to hold a union election earlier this month in an apparent attempt to discourage employees from uniting.

Employees in Oklahoma City ultimately voted 56-32 to form the second nationwide Apple store union.

“We ask Apple to avoid providing false information as to why Towson employees will not be provided benefit at this time, covered by multiple media outlets and recently told our negotiating committee, “Apple store union Towson wrote.” Our members risk a lot to make sure their voices are heard. Now is the time to accept us as real partners. We must work together to set new standards in our industry and help keep Apple as one of the world’s most iconic brands. ”

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