Apple (AAPL) is usually a market leader — but in this case, it's following… well, its workers are. Apple workers have followed the steps of their peers at Amazon (AMZN) and Starbucks (SBUX) and have taken steps to unionize.
Driven by staff at Apples Grand Central Terminal Store, workers are coming together to demand a wage of $30 an hour. News of the demands was broken on the website Fruit Stand Workers Union, which is representing the group. FSWU is pushing for signatures from at least 30% of the staff at the store so it can file a petition to be officially recognized by the National Relations Union Board.
The request for increased wages shows Apple’s wage workers believe they’re more valuable in a tight labor market. Apple employees can make from $17 to more than $30 per hour, depending on their market and experience.
Why it matters
The news comes amidst Verizon (VZ), a retail competitor in the market for phones, who said it would raise its minimum wage to $20 per hour. As well as a pay increase, the union is fighting for more vacation days, higher match rates for 401(k) pension plans, and improved health and safety conditions.
