Main Highlights:
- Fruit Stand Workers United, the union, attempting to organize Apple’s Grand Central Terminal store, has announced that if its organizing drive is successful, it aims to push for a minimum wage of $30/ hour for location employees (via CNBC). The union updated its website on Monday to incorporate information about its aims, including wage hikes, health and safety research, and enhanced education and retirement benefits.
- A minimum wage of $30 per hour corresponds to around $62,000 per year in wages for a full-time employee. Additionally, the union wants a “matrix based on position, tenure, and performance” to decide remuneration.
- Additionally, Fruit Stand Workers United aims to bargain for increased vacation accrual, 401(k) match rates, tuition reimbursement, and broader retirement options, such as pension plans.
- Additionally, the union wants that Apple “conduct research on security measures regarding client contacts and track dust, the health effects of building materials, and noise pollution at Grand Central Terminal.”
Fruit Stand Workers United, the union, aiming to organize Apple’s Grand Central Terminal shop, has stated that if its organizing effort is successful, it intends to press for a minimum salary of $30 an hour for the location’s employees (via CNBC). On Monday, the union updated its website with information about its objectives, including salary increases, health and safety research, and improved education and retirement benefits.
Minimum wage demands
A $30 minimum wage equates to around $62,000 in annual earnings for a full-time employee. Additionally, the union wants salary determined by a “matrix based on role, tenure, and performance.”
Fruit Stand Workers United also wishes to negotiate improvements in vacation accrual, 401(k) match rates, tuition reimbursement, and expanded retirement alternatives, such as pension plans. Additionally, the union requests that Apple “perform a study into security measures involving client contacts and studies into track dust, the health consequences of building materials, and noise pollution at Grand Central Terminal.”
Significant worry exists in big cities like New York over vehicle-related pollution such as brake dust and exhaust gases. And while noise pollution appears to be a worry for practically all New York residents, it seems to be especially so for employees at a business located in one of the city’s busiest rail terminals.
While the site’s section on health and safety does not explicitly reference COVID-19, Apple has made several modifications to its store operations during the pandemic, including opening and shutting retail locations and instituting, removing, and reinstating mask regulations for consumers. Apple allegedly briefly halted a store in Texas following the positive test of three employees shortly after Black Friday.
Last week, Fruit Stand Workers United said that it has begun requiring employees to sign cards indicating their interest in joining a union. Fruit Stand Workers United can petition the National Labor Relations Board to hold an election if more than 30% of workers at the location sign.
The lofty goals come amid an uptick in organizational activities at both technology and retail firms. Earlier this month, Amazon warehouse workers in New York decided to unionize, and staff at many Starbucks stores opted for worker representation. (Fruit Stand Workers United is associated with the union that is organizing at Starbucks).
Contractors for Google Fiber and staff at two Verizon retail shops have also chosen to unionize in recent weeks. Verizon said Monday that it would increase its minimum pay to $20 for retail and customer service employees. The proviso that the $20 number applies to retail employees’ salaries and “target commission.