Apple agrees contract with second unionized store, in Oklahoma City

Apple last month reached agreement with employees at the first Apple Store to unionize, and has now done the same, with a store in Oklahoma City.

The three-year contract covers much of the same ground as the contract in Maryland, though with higher pay rises agreed …

The unionization of Apple Stores started back in 2022, and the first store to make a formal start to the process was Apple’s flagship Grand Central Terminal store in New York. This was followed by similar moves in Atlanta and Maryland, before expanding internationally to the UK and Australia.

Workers were concerned about pay falling behind inflation, inflexible shift arrangements, and job security.

The Maryland store was the first to unionize, and also the first to reach agreement with Apple.

Apple agrees deal with Oklahoma City union

The Communication Workers of America (CWA) union reports that a contract has also been agreed at the Oklahoma City’s Penn Square Mall store.

The main points of the agreement are:

• 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

This is similar to the deal reached in Maryland, though there the pay deal was for average raises of 10% over three years.

Genius Admin Michael Forsythe said that it has been a long battle, but he hopes it will encourage workers at other stores to follow their example.

“It is exhilarating to finalize this bargaining process and know that after all the work we have done and all the obstacles that Apple has put in our way, we have finally secured the protection and improvements in pay and benefits that we deserve. We hope this sets an example for Apple’s tens of thousands of retail workers that when we stand together, we have the power to make meaningful changes in our workplace.”

Workers at other stores interested in unionizing can contact the CWA for help and advice.

Photo: Apple