A US Labor Board judge has ruled that Apple illegally coerced employees into “coercive” interviews and interfered with the distribution of union leaflets at the New York City Apple Store.
san francisco — A US Labor Board judge ruled Tuesday that Apple illegally coerced employees into “coercive” interviews and interfered with the distribution of union leaflets at a New York City Apple Store.
The ruling marks the first time that an administrative law judge from the National Labor Relations Board, a federal agency, has ruled against Apple. But this is not the last word on the subject; Apple is free to appeal the decision to the full board of the agency or to a federal appeals court.
Apple did not comment on Wednesday’s decision.
Judge Lauren Esposito in the case found that an Apple store supervisor at the World Trade Center location improperly asked an employee about her discussions with other workers about pay levels and the employee’s opinion about company-wide unionization efforts. had asked. Such activities violate US labor laws that protect workers’ right to organize, the judge wrote.
Similarly, Esposito ruled that Apple managers removed union literature that was legally permitted to be removed and disposed of in non-work spaces such as break rooms, sometimes including shredding the leaflets. Was.
The ruling requires Apple to “cease and desist” from activities that the judge found violated established labor protections and posted company-named workplace notices acknowledging the court’s findings, telling employees about their labor rights. Informed about the rights and has given an undertaking that the company will respect them.
Apple is facing four other labor complaints that are now pending before National Labor Relations Board judges.
