- Apple retail employees in Short Hills, New Jersey, have petitioned to unionise.
- A unionised worker can ask for a higher salary and better benefits.
- Employees in Apple enjoy almost the best-paid and excellent benefits in retail.
OUR TAKE
The report of employees petitioning to unionise could reflect the worse global employment environment to some extent that employees must be unionised to maintain their rights and interests. However, according to a [2022] statement to Bloomberg News, the salary and benefits are already among the highest in the industry while abnormal wages and benefits claims will result in inflation. From this perspective, these 104 employees should have a deep consideration.
-Fiona Huang, BTW reporter
104 employees, in a Short Hills-based Apple retail store, have petitioned to unionise regardless of the exceptional compensation and benefits Apple provided. It becomes the fifth US Apple store where employees have petitioned to unionise.
Why do retail employees prefer unionising
An employer can individually decide whether to open or close its operations regardless of unionisation efforts.
Retail employees, gaining not rich compensation, are easily substituted since the simple work could be done by many people.
The plentiful number of people pouring into the retail industry could determine lower wages paid and benefits because the value of jobs depends on the supply and demand in a free market.
It is acknowledged that nobody favours worthless work, but that is what retail jobs are.
Also read: Apple cuts jobs after dropping self-driving car plans
What can retail employees gain if unionised
Retail workers can ask for higher wages and benefits, which could run in the opposite direction to the actual reflection of market supply and demand.
The company will be forced to overpay unionised workers, which raises the company’s costs. To avoid long-term higher costs, excess spending will be passed on to consumers. This will bring a negative influence on the company—loss of customers and profits.
Apple already adopted an exceptional benefits policy for retail
California-based Cupertino has suggested that they pay essential attention to their valued team members by providing almost excellent and comprehensive benefits.
Early on April 4th, 2022, Apple provided more compensation, vacation days and health care for full-time and part-time employees, including measures like salary raising, doubling paid sick days, more annual vacation days beginning at three years of employment, discounted emergency backup care for part-time workers’ family members.
An Apple spokesperson emphasised in a [2022] statement to Bloomberg News that they are not parsimonious in offering compensation and benefits for full-time and part-time employees.
