Today [September 6], Apple retail workers at the Penn Square Mall Apple Store in Oklahoma City, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), secured a tentative labor agreement with Apple. This makes their store the second in the U.S. to reach an agreement with the global tech giant. Workers will vote to ratify the tentative agreement on September 22.
Highlights of the three-year agreement include:
- Wage increases of up to 11.5% over the next three years.
- Worker involvement in scheduling and guaranteed paid time off to vote.
- A safer and more democratic workplace with a grievance and arbitration process and the establishment of joint Safety and Health and Working Relations committees.
- Job protection in the event of a store closure or relocation and severance pay.
- Guaranteed paid time off, health, and other benefits
Congratulations to these workers! For reference, the first store was in Towson, MD and reached a similar agreement with Apple in July of this year. Like at Towson this contract has taken almost two years to negotiate, much of which has been fighting back against Apple's efforts to bust the union and avoid a contract. Picketing seems to have forced their hand in this case.