Joe Biden has long been a unionist, and the president today expressed his support for Apple retail workers who voted to form a union over the weekend. “I’m proud of them,” Biden said when asked about the development. “Workers have the right to decide under what conditions they will work or not work.”
“Everyone is better off for this, including the end product is always better,” the president added. Reuters first reported Biden’s comments on Apple’s first unionized retail store.
First Apple Store Union
The events took place at the Apple Towson store in Maryland, where 65 employees voted to form a union. During these efforts, 33 people voted against unionization.
The National Labor Relations Board announced the move on Saturday, adding that the retail workers union would work with the International Aerospace and Machinists Association.
Corporate resistance
While Apple did not comment on the unionization at the first Apple Store, the company has notably spoken out against employee unionization efforts. Apple has been accused of using union busting tactics to deprive workers of support before they can vote.
Last month, a retail store in Atlanta, Georgia, delayed a union vote after support dwindled following Apple’s intervention. Apple retail stores in New York and Kentucky have also begun moving towards the union vote, and the Georgia store plans to hold its own vote in the future.
The company has in part thwarted union efforts, arguing that it would be less flexible in improving employee benefits if negotiation was an important factor.
In May, Apple gave retail workers a pay raise that was clearly meant to please those who advocate unionization. Similarly, Apple announced a pay rise a decade ago after a series of articles in the New York Times drew attention to working conditions.
The future organization is expected to cover a dozen Apple Stores across the US as the union movement continues to spread.
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