Apple is once again facing accusations after its incident of cracking down on union organizers. House representatives Sylvia Garcia and Emanuel Cleaver called on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to investigate Apple Retail stores due to claims of labor abuse.
The lawmakers are concerned about the reports that Apple retail workers were fired and faced intimidation during their work for exercising their right to collectively organize. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) claims that Apple intimidated the said workers before firing them due to contract negotiations.
House Lawmakers Calls For Investigation
In the letter sent by the two lawmakers to NLBR's General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo, they wrote:
"As you are aware, under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), employees are guaranteed the right to organize and bargain collectively free from interference, intimidation, and coercion from their employers."
"The NLRB already found Apple infringed upon worker rights earlier this year, and we are concerned about this recurring pattern. We respectfully request the NLRB thoroughly investigate these serious allegations."
In December, the board states that Apple broke the law by holding anti-union meetings in Atlanta. The House lawmakers also point out NLBR's findings in January where Apple was violating labor rights with discussions of employment conditions and rules barring leaks.
In March, it was reported that about five employees in Kansas were fired by Apple due to supporting union efforts. However, the National Labor Relations Act guarantees that all employees have the right to unionize if they choose to do so.
Emanuel Cleaver, a US representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, states, "Any allegation that the largest corporation in the world is using its institutional power to silence and stamp out workers' God-given right to collectively bargain for fairer wages, better benefits, and increased workplace safety is extremely disconcerting-"
"But allegations of retaliation from numerous workers of the same retail store should be investigated with the seriousness this situation deserves. I don't care if the offender is Apple or Applejacks, if any business attempts to stifle workers' right to organize in Kansas City, then they're going to hear from me about it," he adds.
Related Article: Apple Accused of Illegally Firing Employees Over Union Activity
Allegations Against Apple's Unfair Labor Practices
There are also reports that several Apple employees in Houston were illegally interrogated and disciplined for attempting to organize. According to CWA's allegations, Apple unlawfully fired and intimidated employees for exercising their right to collectively bargain.
The CWA believes that Apple used very thin prefixes to intimidate and fire employees, such as typos in worker time sheets and slightly late arrivals. Moreover, some employees were reportedly forced to sign a "Release of All Claims" against the company in exchange for a severance package despite such practices being illegal due to the NLRB ruling published in February.
Apple argues that it can better care for retail staff without holding unions. At the same time, the company addresses these concerns by raising pay, easing their scheduling rates, and improving employee benefits.
