Apple to Contest Allegations of Breaching Employees’ Rights
Apple Inc. intends to challenge a decision made by a National Labor Relations Board judge, who found the company guilty of violating employee rights through “coercive” questioning regarding pro-union sentiments and limiting the distribution of union literature.
Apple said in a statement on Friday that it disagrees with the decision and will address it “through the NLRB process.” The ruling, filed earlier this week, focused on Apple’s retail workers at its World Trade Center store in New York, one of several across the country where workers staged union campaigns last year.
“Regular open, honest and direct communication with our team members is a key part of Apple’s culture of collaboration,” the Cupertino, Calif.-based company said in a statement.
The judge wrote that Apple should “cease and desist” from questioning employees about their legally protected labor activism. According to the decision, the company should also stop confiscating pro-union literature in its break rooms and “harassing, restricting or coercing employees” to exercise their rights.
The move was the first time an NLRB judge has ruled against Apple. Such decisions can be appealed to labor board members in Washington and from there to the federal appeals court. The agency has the power to order changes to company practices, but cannot hold executives personally liable for violations or award damages.
