Apple taps same legal team as Starbucks for unionization fight ahead

There were many stories last week about the plans of Apple Store workers to organize. Although Apple has not yet made a statement regarding its plans to unionize, the company is already working with antiunion lawyers to stop them.

Recent instances of union talks

Apple Store workers at Grand Central in New York City are starting to unionize. These employees seek to improve the quality of working conditions, earn more vacation time and better retirement, and secure a $30-per-hour minimum wage. A few days later news came out that the employees of the Apple Store in Atlanta would be the first to vote in a union election. Employees there ask for similar benefits as the New York City store.

Littler Mendelson also represents Starbucks

The Verge reports that Apple is working with San Francisco-based Littler Mendelson law firm to de-escalate the union fights. Littler Mendelson represents Starbucks to prevent its union partners organizing. The firm previously helped McDonald’s in 2014 when workers were calling for $15 an hour wages.

The management of Apple is attempting to stop their employees exercising their rights to join unions by keeping Littler Mendelson, a notorious union-busting company,” stated Sara Steffens (CWA Secretary-Treasurer). The workers at Starbucks (another Littler client) aren’t buying it, and so will Apple workers.

An anonymous Apple Store employee in New York told The Verge that the company has been spreading anti-union messaging during meetings. “There’s a lot of misinformation that’s been spread trying to scare the masses,” the employee said. They are panicking .”

Apple declined to comment to The Verge regarding hiring Littler Mendelson for its anti-unionization efforts.