Groups of employees at least two Apple Store locations are planning to file paperwork with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and have backing from major national unions, The Washington Post reported.
The unionization efforts have come as a result of stagnating wages, which Apple Store employees argue have not kept up with inflation. These efforts follow similar moves by retail store employees that work for other companies such as Amazon and Starbucks.
If successful, the efforts stand to destabilize the largest and most profitable company in the world and force it to share its profits with workers that are tasked with selling, repairing and troubleshooting its products.
The Cupertino, California-based company has more than 500 store locations globally and more than 270 in the U.S. The company currently employs 65,000 retail workers that help run the company’s stores. In 2021, the company’s total revenue reached $378 billion, up from $240 billion in 2017.
While the company’s revenue has continued to reach astronomical highs, the wages of its retail employees have not. Apple Store employees today reportedly earn between $17 to $30 per hour and receive $1000 to $2000 worth of stock, based on the market and their position.
