Apple employees in Oklahoma City held a vote to make the store the second unionized location in the United States, amid opposition from the tech company.
Apple workers in the city of Oaklahoma voted to join a union. With this they become the second unionized store in the United States.
With a count of 56 votes in favor and 32 against, the workers pointed to the union victory. They will be represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) after separate organizing efforts were stalled at other stores in Georgia and New York City.
Through a press release, CWA secretary-treasurer Sara Steffens said that approximately 94 employees were eligible to join the union, which is one of the largest in the communications and media sector in the country.
“The retail workers of Penn Square Apple are an incredible addition to our growing labor movement, and we are thrilled to welcome them as members of the CWA,” she said.
“We believe that the open, direct and collaborative relationship we have with our valued team members is the best way to deliver a great experience for our customers and our teams,” she said.
The National Labor Relations Board will certify the votes the first week. Apple will then be required to negotiate working conditions with the union.
The recent move spells defeat for the California-based company, which has opposed labor organizing efforts across the country.
The tech giant’s first store to unionize was one located in Towson, Maryland, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
Sources consulted by Bloomberg revealed that Apple told its employees that it is increasing the amount of funds they can receive for external education and greater health care benefits for some states. The benefits will not apply to the then only registered union store. They will have to bargain for themselves through their union.
Like Apple, employees of other companies have organized in the search to unionize, amid demands for better benefits, in the face of galloping inflation in the country, which in September reached 8.2% year-on-year.