As per the US Labour Board ruling, tech firm, Apple did indeed question its employees regarding union activities and also prevented them from placing union flyers in the break room.
Back in 2022, it was found that employees—who had placed flyers on a table in the break room within the office at the World Trade Centre store in New York City—had been interrogated about their actions. The flyers were also taken possession of.
Last year, Judge Lauren Esposito had ruled that Apple’s actions were illegal, as the employees were indulging in “protected concerned activity”. Apple was directed to refrain from interrogating employees in this manner about their pro-union activities or confiscating any related material.
Now, the Labour Board has also affirmed Esposito’s observations.
Early last year, that is, in February 2023, the National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) had started seriously looking into complaints filed by employees and unions who claimed that Apple tried to hinder employees efforts to organise, except when it was a case where the Company itself was settling first. Some employees had protested saying they were entitled to discuss protected issues openly, but Apple stopped them from doing so. This included subjects such as workplace harassment and pay transparency.
The complaints first came to light in 2021. At the time, Apple had maintained that it is committed to establishing an inclusive workplace full of positivity; that it takes complaints seriously and conducts investigations when matters are raised. It maintained that it refrained from discussing employees’ issues and concerns as it respected their privacy.
