“Apple workers represented by RAFFWU have stepped up where no other retail workers in Australian history have gone,” he said. “They are striking for a fair deal.”
Mr Cullinan said Apple had admitted it had not even costed the annual wage increases and claimed “money doesn’t matter to them, profit is their God”.
Workers will also impose 15 protected bans, including refusing all work associated with phone carrier contractors and consumer financing; diagnostic testing, repairs or technical support on airpods; handling deliveries; and installation of screen protectors.
While RAFFWU says industrial action will take place at all Apple stores, its membership is concentrated at Brisbane’s CBD and Chermside stores and Newcastle’s Charlestown.
Meanwhile, over the next ten days, Apple and unions will gear up for a fierce campaign to get staff to vote yes or no to the company’s proposed non-union agreement.
After 18 bargaining meetings across 10 weeks, including two three-hour ones last week, Apple has opted for a direct staff ballot from October 28 to October 30.
Apple says its base rates are at least 17 per cent above the award minimum and it still has annual pay reviews in place, which could lift wages based on performance or the market.
A spokesman for Apple said the company is committed to providing staff “very strong compensation and benefits, annual stock grants and comprehensive leave policies, all of which exceed Australian industry standards”.
The tech giant has also guaranteed two consecutive days off for full-time workers and minimum hours for part-time workers while also paying overtime and penalty rates.
However, staff complain that no worker can have more than one set day off – and even that can’t be on a weekend – and so argue they cannot plan for childcare or holidays because Apple rosters can change every week.
Staff, many who are not in a union and appointed some 35 employee representatives to bargain on their behalf, have also set up a website to campaign for a no vote.
Apple, which cancelled a previous ballot push last month in return for further negotiations, will have to ensure that a majority of balloted employees vote yes to get its agreement approved.
The ballot comes as Apple has been dealing with unionisation at its stores worldwide, with workers at a second US store voting to form a union last week.
