The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (IAM CORE) has reached a tentative agreement with Apple, focusing on enhancing work-life balance, increasing pay, and securing job stability for retail employees. The agreement, announced on Friday, marks a significant milestone for workers at the Apple retail store in Towson, Maryland.
Employees at the Towson store, who made history in June 2022 by becoming the first Apple retail workers in the United States to unionize, will vote on the proposed three-year deal on August 6. The agreement includes a 10 percent average pay increase, limits on the use of contracted employees, a severance clause, improvements in work-life balance, and rules promoting transparency within the company. It also maintains all current employee benefits and establishes a framework for negotiating future enhancements.
This tentative deal comes after Towson workers voted in May 2024 to authorize a strike, demonstrating their commitment to addressing concerns over unpredictable scheduling practices, wages not aligned with the local cost of living, and overall work-life balance. The move highlighted the growing momentum of labor movements within the tech industry, where employees are increasingly advocating for better working conditions and fair compensation.
Apple has yet to comment on the agreement.
The outcome of the upcoming vote could set a precedent for other Apple retail stores and potentially influence labor relations in the broader technology sector. As the tech giant navigates this new chapter with its organized workforce, the developments in Towson may resonate with employees and industry observers both in the United States and around the world.
(With input from Reuters)
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U.S. union reaches tentative agreement with Apple on work-life balance
cgtn.com
