The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (IAM CORE) announced a tentative agreement with Apple on Friday that could significantly enhance work conditions for employees at the tech giant. The deal is set to address issues like pay, job security, and work-life balance.
The tentative three-year agreement will offer an average pay raise of 10% to employees at the Towson, Maryland, Apple retail store. It also includes measures to limit the use of contracted workers, improve work-life balance, and ensure greater transparency in workplace practices. Additionally, the agreement features a severance clause and guarantees that all current employee benefits will remain in place, with provisions to negotiate any future changes.
Employees at the Towson store are scheduled to vote on the agreement on August 6. This follows their vote in May authorizing a strike if negotiations did not result in satisfactory terms.
In June 2022, the workers at the Towson store made headlines by becoming the first retail employees of Apple in the United States to unionize. This development was a significant milestone in the broader movement for better working conditions in the retail sector.
Apple has not yet responded to requests for comment on the new agreement. If approved, this deal will mark a notable step forward in improving the working environment for Apple’s retail employees.
