Apple Increasing Starting Pay for Hourly Workers to at Least $22 Per Hour

Apple today notified employees that it is increasing starting pay for hourly workers to a minimum of $22 per hour, and higher in certain markets, reports The Wall Street Journal. The move comes as the company seeks to deal with inflation, a tight labor market, and recent unionization efforts.

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The new starting wage represents a 45% increase compared to 2018 and will most prominently affect retail workers. Salaried positions are also expected to see starting increases.

“Supporting and retaining the best team members in the world enables us to deliver the best, most innovative, products and services for our customers,” an Apple spokesman said in a statement. “This year as part of our annual performance review process, we’re increasing our overall compensation budget.”

Apple retail workers have started looking to unionize in a small number of stores, seeking higher pay and expanded benefits such as increased vacation time and improved retirement options.

Just today, Apple's head of retail Deirdre O'Brien sent a video message to retail store employees to address those efforts, arguing that while it is workers' right join a union, there could be downsides for workers if they choose to do so.

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Top Rated Comments

exoticSpice Avatar
13 months ago
Apple feeling the union heat! good.
Score: 50 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
13 months ago
??‍ It's about time. Good move by Apple. I’m sure Apple retail employees will be happy. Apple needs to work on the benefit packages too.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macar00n Avatar
13 months ago
Bravo, Apple. If customers can't afford higher prices due to this, that is tough for the customers, but doesn't mean we should pay workers below a living wage. If you can't afford an iPhone after this, that's nothing compared to retail workers that work full time and still can't afford to live. This will put positive pressure on other companies.

The cynic in me knows this is primarily to avoid unionization, but this will pressure other companies to keep up with wages nevertheless.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Justin Cymbal Avatar
13 months ago
I’m glad that Apple is doing this

I applied to work at the Apple Store about 10 years ago but didn’t get hired at that time

I would love to try to reapply, especially now that the starting pay is $22/hour
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
13 months ago
Too late. Unionization will still likely happen.

If you know anything about labor relations, unionization happens overwhelming because of inequality, perceived or otherwise. A simple pay increase won't fix arbitrary decisions on promotions, vacation scheduling, overtime opportunities, and overall career advancement in the organization.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
13 months ago

Don’t be too quick to pat Timmy on the back. This will simply be passed down to us through an increase in cost for upcoming devices.
Oh yeah, lol the prices of iPhones will be going up. It's the consumers that end up paying in the end. But Apple made too much money selling that $19 Apple polishing cloth.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)