(Bloomberg) — Apple Inc.’s unionized retail store in Towson, Md., will hold a vote Saturday on whether to authorize a strike as a new round of negotiations with the phone maker approaches. iPhone.
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Earlier this week, the local machinists union that represents store employees distributed packets detailing the plan. If the majority of unionized employees vote on May 11 in favor of a strike, it could take place at any time. A union representative said no date had been decided.
The local branch of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is scheduled to hold its next round of contract negotiations with Apple on May 21. A strike in front of an Apple Store would damage the company’s fine image. It would also be the first known walkout by unionized Apple retail workers in the United States, but would follow last year’s walkout in France.
The union told employees it would provide $200 a week to strikers after a strike of at least 14 days and that those who protest cannot be fired for demonstrating labor practices. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The store and Apple have reached a series of agreements, none of which are considered to deviate greatly from Apple’s pre-existing policies. The union told employees that negotiations were underway regarding pay, overtime, unpaid leave, absentee benefits and scheduling.
“Our tentative agreements will provide remarkable protections for our team and will achieve many of our bargaining goals,” the union told employees at the Towson store. “Apple does not negotiate in good faith and we have multiple unfair labor practice charges against Apple for its illegal behavior.”
Separately, the company’s store in Short Hills, New Jersey, is voting this weekend on whether to unionize. Earlier this month, the US National Labor Relations Board ruled that Apple illegally questioned staff at its World Trade Center store in New York.
–With help from Josh Eidelson.
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