Apple retail managers to get 'union awareness' training

Apple Inc. is planning to train its managers on how to respond if employees at its retail stores start to form unions.

 

Tech site CNET cited an internal document containing information about a training course on the topic —a requirement for new store managers.

 

"This course is intended to provide managers with a practical understanding of how unions affect the workplace, how and why employees organize, and the legal do's and don'ts of dealing with unions," CNET quoted the training description as saying.

 

It added this class is "mandatory" for all new managers, and is required biannually for all managers.

 

Such a course will present "a great opportunity to meet our legal team and ask any questions you may have," CNET quoted the document as saying.

 

CNET said Apple's move came six months after its retail workers sought to unionize via the Apple Retail Workers Union.

 

The union hit Apple for providing poor compensation to its part-time employees, as well as calling attention to alleged deficiencies in Apple's "break schedules, training opportunities," and "the selection and hiring process for internal candidates for open positions."

 

CNET noted a retail union can potentially drive up Apple's operating costs if employees are able to successfully negotiate increases to pay and benefits.

 

"If a union represents the Apple retail employees, it just means they sit down across the table, and if Apple is doing what they're doing now, which is being a tremendously successful retailer, there's very little a union's going to be able to do," Union expert Jay Krupin told CNET.

 

On the other hand, CNET said Apple can do its own campaigning and let employees know it is against a union. — TJD, GMA News