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The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has certified the union election for more than 100 Apple store employees in Towson, Maryland.
The union, known as Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (CORE), reached a clear majority vote on June 19. The vote passed 65 to 33.
According to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) website, the group will now be known as IAM-CORE. The official certification will pave the way for Apple management and IAM-CORE members to negotiate a first contract.
“The IAM and the new members of IAM-CORE in Towson, Md., look forward to bargaining with Apple and obtaining a strong first contract that makes positive changes for Apple workers and the customers they are proud to serve,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan.
“IAM-CORE members feel that the opportunity to collectively bargain with Apple will enhance their workplace and continue to advance Apple’s standing as one of the world’s most innovative companies. IAM-CORE continues to organize from coast to coast to bring a greater voice on the job to Apple workers.”
When originally announced, organizers within the store said they worked on getting support for almost a year. They coordinated with IAM to launch the union at the store.
It’s not yet clear what the terms of the deal will be. Organizers at other stores stores have been pressing for an increase in the current starting pay of $20 per hour. Apple has since promised to pay $22 per hour.
Apple’s retail chief Deirdre O’Brien pushed back against recent unionization efforts at some of the company’s brick-and-mortar locations in a new video to staff members. She has said that the efforts could slow workplace progress and potentially harm the relationship between Apple and its employees.
The tech giant was recently accused of violating the National Labor Relations Act and countering an ongoing union drive at Apple Cumberland Mall in Georgia.
