Over 50 Apple retail employees reportedly walked out of the company on Christmas Eve in protest of poor working conditions.
A more respectful workplace and paid sick leave are among the group’s demands. They are also demanding hazard pay and other benefits.
Apple stores in the United States are generally open until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day.
But “Apple Together”, a worker advocacy group, called for a walkout last Thursday.
As part of Apple Together’s walkout campaign, customers were encouraged to boycott the company. The organization advised people not to shop in stores or online.
They also requested protection from abusive customers, COVID-19 safety measures, and hazard pay in a follow-up tweet.
One worker in a Jacksonville Florida Apple Store reported, “Last week, a customer came in and spit on one of our team members,” The worker said that despite the spitting incident, the customer was then serviced by the store’s leadership. These types of events have continued, despite calls to leadership for new policies, he said. “There needs to be a different protocol.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant concerns about worker safety. The company’s mandatory return-to-office policy has been delayed several times this year, and was most recently slated for January. Apple employees have complained about the policy. In response to the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant, the company delayed its return-to-work plan indefinitely last week.
NBC News reported Apple retail workers who felt sick were still forced to work on Black Friday, despite COVID-19 policies.
The iPhone maker’s employees have also organized around other conditions. A group of 15 Apple employees created #AppleToo, a website for sharing stories about mistreatment at the company.
What do you think? Will the worker’s complaints affect how you shop from Apple?
I an an Apple owner for many years and many devices. This will make me think twice before purchasing an Apple any time in the near future. Please consider better work conditions for the many employees on the front line. Times have changed and working conditions are much more hazardous. Dig deep into your hefty pockets and pay it forward to your dedicated employees. I will not purchase another thing from Apple until this is resolved.
No. Some people will always complain about something no matter what you do. And 50 people is amazingly small compared to the number of workers Apple employs nation-wide. God Himself had multitudes of angels walked out on Him, we are told! There is no perfect solution to fit the liking of imperfect workers. What fits one doesn’t fit another
Frank, you are without empathy, bet you are Republican. Support the rich and spit on the poor.
Why attack?
For heaven sakes, let’s not forget to bring politics into the mix! There has to be one in every crowd who never passes up the opportunity.
I will continue to buy Apple although I may reconsider. Three MacAir laptops have crashed and the new Samsung flip open phone is pretty awesome for the work I do on my phone. (I saw it because my kids got it)
Apple is profitable enough to have high standards for employees unless China decides to stop manufacturing its parts.
Thanks for writing this story and informing us about the walk out. Apple’s treatment of its workers concerns me. I support the strikers, but at the same time I’m not in the market for new products. Safe working conditions should not be considered second tier to profits, although they often are.
I support the Employees! .Most are afraid to speak up because they are afraid of losing their jobs.Working conditions are deplorable and there is no reason for it, except greed.
need to talk with employees about problems. Find solutions that work and move forward. I was most moved by the spitting incident. That person should have been arrested and at lease removed from the store. Management needs to be there to react. On the other hand, never make an employee problem a customer problem. Never leave before the store closes.
You are correct. Spitting on someone is a form of assault.
My guess is that this was the condition before COVID. But finally workers are speaking up about terrible work conditions, hence the Great Resignation.
I’ve seen the worst manners in Americans over the last 6 years. People are getting upset over the craziest things. Don’t go to children’s football/baseball games if you think the spectators aren’t going to be yelling all kinds of nasties. Games are being called because of spectators out of control. Now people in retail, as well as the airlines, are facing the absurd antics of customers over the simplest things. Americans have got to learn to reign themselves in, or I hate to think what might come next.
I’m with you and you are definitely correct. Dealing with the public and it’s declining behavior is difficult. We need to have consequences to address this conduct.
This will not affect my shopping. 25 years of Apple employment proves a great company to work for.
Took my wife’s lap top ta an Apple store in Tacoma for repair. They said it couldn’t be fixed. My son fixed it the next day. He is far from a computer geek. Had two other bad experience’s at this store. All they want is your money.
I have been considering the purchase of an upgraded iPhone for my wife who is struggling with an iPhone 6S who’s battery will not hold a charge. With this information of a walkout over employee better working conditions, perhaps I should consider a Samsung phone instead. Think about it, Apple!