Bringing the "company union by the bosses" concept to a whole new level

[Pete Ross Junior]

Apple 'created decoy labor group' to derail unionization
The Register (UK)

Apple has been accused of creating its own labor organization to prevent workers from forming an employee-run union, according to a complaint filed on Friday.

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) filed a complaint with the federal US National Labor Relations Board charging Apple with unfair labor practices. The complaint [PDF] contends Apple created an employer-controlled labor group called "Employee Forum" at Apple’s Easton Town Center store in Columbus, Ohio as a way "to stifle union activity."

The Apple-run group is described in a pamphlet, according to the CWA, as "a dedicated working group that can be used as a formal means for employees and leaders to provide feedback on both local and retail organization-wide initiatives, policies and practices."

The CWA says Apple has been opposing worker efforts to organize for better pay and working conditions throughout the year and "has chosen to create a company-controlled union to coax workers away from organizing independently" rather than negotiate.

The complaint also says Apple held "a mandatory captive audience meeting in which its representative stated that [Apple] would refuse to bargain certain subjects if a Union was formed."

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And yet Apple positions itself as "progressive".