Topline
The National Labor Relations Board ruled Monday that Apple illegally questioned staff of its World Trade Center store in New York City in 2022, affirming findings from a judge who determined employees were specifically questioned over their pro-union sympathies.
Apple has not received any punishment or been ordered to pay damages by the board for the … [+]
Key Facts
The board affirmed the decision of administrative law Judge Lauren Esposito, who ruled last year that Apple illegally stopped workers from placing union flyers on a table in the break room of the World Trade Center store, confiscated the flyers and interrogated staff over their “protected concerted activity.”
Esposito ordered Apple cease and desist from illegally questioning workers about union matters in addition to confiscating union flyers from the store’s employee break room.
Monday’s ruling is the board’s first decision against Apple, according to Bloomberg, which first reported the ruling and cited agency spokesperson Kayla Blado.
The board cannot impose fines or direct punishments against Apple for its violations.
Apple didn’t immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.
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Key Background
Other cases against Apple are still pending, according to Bloomberg, which noted a case in which a National Labor Relations Board member accused the company of illegally excluding unionized workers from certain benefits. Several Apple stores have moved to unionize in recent years including ones in Short Hills, New Jersey, Oklahoma City and Towson, Maryland, with the latter two locations successfully establishing a union. Apple employees outside of the World Trade Center store staffers have also run into opposition while seeking to unionize. The National Labor Relations Board found in late 2022 that Apple hosted mandatory anti-union meetings at an Atlanta store where management made coercive statements against employees.
Further Reading
Apple Illegally Interrogated NYC Retail Staff, US Labor Board Rules (Bloomberg)
Apple Store employees in New Jersey are trying to unionize (The Verge)
