Apple store employees in Maryland become company's first in US to unionize
Employees at the Apple store at Towson Town Center in Maryland voted Saturday to organize the company's first U.S. union.
The workers told sister station WBAL-TV that their vote sends a message to the richest companies and that there's a revolution coming, one retail store at a time.
Hear from some of the employees in the video player above.
Out of 110 workers who were eligible to vote, 65 voted yes and 33 voted no. The group named its union the Coalition of Organized Retail Employees, and it received assistance and support from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
In May, the group sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook, informing him of the support from a "solid majority of (our) coworkers," adding that their team wants more rights to "information and collective bargaining."
"We're literally the face of Apple. How is it fair that we are being dictated as to what to do, what to say, how to act when we don't get any say in the things that are happening every day in our lives," said Chaya Barrett, an Apple employee of seven years.
Towson employees said they also deserve more of a voice when it comes to COVID-19 safety.
"A lot of the response that we got from the company is what I was calling fear-mongering," said Christie Pridgen, an Apple tech expert of nine years.
Employees told WBAL-TV that the work begins to repair relationships and start conversations with Apple.
WBAL-TV reached out to Apple's corporate office. This report will be updated with a response.
The vote in Towson comes amid a national wave of pandemic-related labor activism.
"Don't be scared because it's scary, and that's OK. But don't be. Realize that if we can do it, you can do it," said Graham DeYoung, an Apple employee of 15 years.