Apple workers in Oklahoma vote for company’s second U.S. union store

The employees in An apple Oklahoma City store voted Friday to join a union, marking Apple’s second unionized U.S. store

The vote is a setback for Apple, which has resisted unionization efforts across the country. It’s a victory for the Communications Workers of America, who now represent workers at an Apple store after unionization efforts at stores in Georgia and New York stalled.

The result was 56 votes “for” and 32 “against”. Approximately 94 employees were eligible to join the CWA. The vote took place earlier this week.

“Penn Square Apple retail workers are an incredible addition to our growing labor movement, and we are thrilled to welcome them as CWA members,” CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sarah Stephens said in a statement.

“We believe that the open, direct and collaborative relationships we have with our valued team members are the best way to deliver an excellent experience for our customers and for our teams,” Apple said in a statement, adding that since 2018 .has since increased its starting salaries in the US by 45%.

The National Labor Relations Board will certify the votes next week. Apple is then required to bargain with the union over working conditions.

Apple opposed the union, according to a CWA filing earlier this month that alleged Apple management held anti-union meetings and threatened to withhold bonuses from stores that unionized.

Apple’s first U.S. union shop, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Maryland, is preparing to begin formal negotiations with Apple. According to Bloomberg News, Apple has told staff there that they will not receive some benefits such as advance payment of tuition or access to online courses because it would have to be negotiated with the union.

Apple is one of the most valuable companies in the world, reporting over $365 billion in global sales in 2021. It has about 270 stores in the U.S.