CWA/Apple Retail Bargaining Report #19 & #20 Penn Square Location, Oklahoma City, OK

CWA/Apple Bargaining team met the last two days for our March session. 

The last two days have been focused on scheduling and availability. This was defined as probably the number one issue for our members in the Penn Square location.

Yesterday, the Company brought in a supervisor in the scheduling department, Steve Jones to discuss and go over specific employee issues on preferences and availability. All together we went over approximately five employees in the store and how they have their preferences set up. Unfortunately, the common thread was that the needs of the business would decipher the schedules that are pushed out. We did learn that 48% of the Product Zone hadn't submitted any preferences at all, and 18% of the Genius Bar hadn’t submitted any preferences. It was finally agreed by both parties that there is a disconnect between the Company and Store Management on how the scheduling process works. 

The Company approached us with a temporary fix in which they will allow employees to use a centralized board to post their concerns individually, in which they will then meet with the individual employee and look at all available solutions of addressing their concerns (changing preferences, looking at the dashboard, etc.). The Company claims they want to be transparent, however they refuse to allow employees to see each other’s schedules. They stated this goes against their core values. Our Chair responded that we are here to bargain in good faith so their values mean nothing in finding common ground in reaching a solution. It’s apparent this will continue to be a struggle in getting to a TA. 

Today, we agreed to their temporary solution to address concerns now and will re-address during our next session in seven weeks. However, we are not close on a counter proposal as what they are proposing is not working currently. They already have this rolled out in other unbargained for stores, we expect more! 

In closing, we have a hearing scheduled for April 23, 2024 regarding them taking away the COVID Special Sick Leave and refusing to bargain over this change. We are planning a Mobilization Activity for this date so please stay tuned. 

We are scheduled to bargain our next session on Thursday, April 25 & Friday, April 26, 2024.

In Unity and Solidarity,

CWA/Apple Bargaining Team

Kirsten Matson, Technical Expert
Kevin Romo Velasco, Specialist
Darren Griffis, Business Expert
Michael Forsythe, Genius Admin
Jay Albertson, President Emeritus CWA 6016
Billy Moffett, CWA District 6 Assistant to the Vice-President

BM/ss
opeiu#13