Communications Workers of America File Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against Apple

(Oklahoma City) — In support of Apple workers in Oklahoma City, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) has filed an unfair labor practice charge alleging managers at the company’s Penn Square location informed workers that support for the union was futile, threatened to withhold benefits from workers supporting the union, engaged in unlawful surveillance, interrogated workers, and subjected workers to captive audience meetings. The Oklahoma City Apple retail workers are slated to conclude their vote on joining the Apple Retail Union/CWA on Friday, October 14.

“Apple has the power to change our workplace for the better and make it easier on us. But rather than support workers, corporate executives have decided to follow the advice of outside consultants to try to bust our union and intimidate us,” said Michael Forsythe, who works at the Penn Square store. “At the end of the day, we all just want respect on the job and freedom from intimidation. Apple workers like us deserve a chance to negotiate and envision our future at the company we love so we can all thrive.”

Despite the company’s public commitment to “supporting and retaining the best team members,” Apple has opposed workers organizing for better pay and working conditions by launching a national anti-union campaign to prevent employees from exercising their right to stand together.

Last week, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a complaint against the multi-trillion dollar company for violating the National Labor Relations Act at its World Trade Center flagship store. Apple retail workers organizing with CWA are waiting to hear from the NLRB on an unresolved unfair labor practice charge which accused the company of violating the National Labor Relations Act by requiring workers to listen to anti-union propaganda during mandatory meetings at the Cumberland Mall store in Atlanta.

CWA calls on Apple executives to immediately stop the intimidation and retaliation against the workers in Oklahoma City, and agree to a fair neutral process for workers to decide to choose the union or not.

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The Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) is an initiative by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) supporting workers’ organizing efforts in the technology and game industries.