Apple Retail Store managers are participating in "union awareness" training after a part-time San Francisco retail store employee attempted to start a union of Apple Store employees, according to CNET.

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This course is intended to provide managers with a practical understanding of how unions affect the workplace, how and why employees organize, and the legal do's and don'ts of dealing with unions. This is a mandatory class for all new managers, and is required biannually for all managers."

Apple's retail employees partake a wide variety of training, on products, services, and best practices, via an exclusive iPad app called RetailMe.

This training is presumably in an effort to avoid entanglements surrounding what corporations can and cannot legally do to discourage the formation of unions.

Top Rated Comments

JDB1983 Avatar
179 months ago


It's "dos" not "do's."

This is a mac forum. Unfortunatly nothing is 'dos'.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dcr2k Avatar
179 months ago
ignorance

Here in the US, they are blood sucking bullies that raise the cost of doing business. Good luck trying to fire incompetent workers.

You have health benefits at your job? You have personal days or sick days? Protection on getting fired if as a female you become pregnant or bedridden while pregnant? Vacation time? All of those things do not exist without unions. Know your history, get educated before you spout off.

Just because a good thing can be abused does not void its existence.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LastLine Avatar
179 months ago
Why would Apple be scared of a Union? They surely give good service to their employees? I mean if your one of the chosen few you get over a million shares! Nothing like share the wealth eh!

I seem to be confused by unionizing in the states - it seems to be very negatively viewed over there, whereas in the UK it's generally viewed as a must have in certain work sectors.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kid A Avatar
179 months ago
I have all of those benefits without a union at my job. Unions are not required for benefits and treating employees right. Know what you are talking about before you spout off.

I have those things too, without a union at my job. But, knowing basic history, I am aware that, without unions, workers would have never had those things. Rights and benefits won by unions in the past are now seen as requirements in some industries/professions. The poster you are trying to one-up (epic fail, btw) was speaking historically, and I'm SURE is well aware that many people have benefits despite not being unionized.

Know what you are talking about before you spout off. :rolleyes:
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vertgo Avatar
179 months ago
You have health benefits at your job? You have personal days or sick days? Protection on getting fired if as a female you become pregnant or bedridden while pregnant? Vacation time? All of those things do not exist without unions. Know your history, get educated before you spout off.

Just because a good thing can be abused does not void its existence.

You're a black person who's not a slave in America? Thank the Republicans. Just because something was once good for you does not mean it will always be good.

Unions were once needed to prevent worker abuse, but now they prevent you from getting rid of bad teachers and bad employees, and underprivileged kids and the consumer are paying for it. They force a company to take the good with the bad, so it no longer pays to work hard.

Don't like the customer service you get at other companies? Check if they have an union. If Apple wants to maintain good customer service, they have to be able to get rid of bad employees.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JackHobbs Avatar
179 months ago
Unions are a way of an individual having more power. It's a basic contract. You swap individual choice for the power of the union and collective choice. In the UK some jobs tend to be very unionised. For instance I am a teacher and most teachers tend to be in a union. My union as well as negotiating on pay and conditions also employ lawyers to protect members against legal claims by employers and students. They also arbitrate in complex situations where the relationship between employer and employee has broken down or become strained.

Businesses are in the game to make money. If they can get away with something, then they will. Some businesses think it is a good model to get as much work out of people as possible. Other businesses take a longer term view and may treat their employees better. It's good if good will is the modus operandi but when your employer or it's managers are bullies, it is good to have a strong union on your side.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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