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Apple's union-busting practices violated employee rights at NYC store

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Re: Apple's union-busting practices violated employee rights at NYC store

#71
post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The stores are a pretty critical component in their sales, marketing, and support cycles, and generally considered a big part of their current success.

I don't think so. Apple Stores are mostly a US thing.

More than half the people I know with Apple devices go to Apple stores for purchase & servicing. I'm from Germany.

Re: Apple's union-busting practices violated employee rights at NYC store

#72
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I imagine the number varies a lot depending on your source. Mine is Credit Suisse via the World Bank - https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/3...

I could not find where it says 99th percentile in the US is $1M, but it seems unreasonable based on recent run up in asset prices, especially homes. The median home price is north of $500k in the western US. https://cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/ehs-04... Come to think of it, I wonder if these net worth calculations incorporate present value of annuities such as Social Security benefits and defined be…

That report might well be out of date. It's a year old, and possibly based on data from a year (or more) prior to that. I don't know.

My more general point is still true though - it's the people with 100s of millions who have the resources to minimize their tax burden who could (note: I'm not saying 'should', that's a matter of opinion) be paying more.

Re: Apple's union-busting practices violated employee rights at NYC store

#73
post #23

Why doe Apple maintain retail stores anyway?

Having a place to go when one has a tech issue is a huge value addition for many Apple users. Repairs can be expensive (the solutions will lean towards "replace the entire motherboard"). But help at the genius bar from a real human can also be free. Compare this experience of what options one has if a hardware issue, or some software question, with a dell laptop. Availability of help at Apple stores is one reason I s…

Apple stores are a very substandard way of offering/providing support. Here is my real world example: I'm visiting my parents in suburban Pennsylvania when my laptop dies. I just looked up the nearest Apple Store, it's a 45 minute drive one-way, it would take an hour and a half in the car total just to get there, probably about $10 of gasoline too. Thankfully I had a Dell, so I called in the issue and later that day an independent repair man contracted by Dell came to my parents house and replaced the motherboard. Distance traveled by me: 0 miles.

And mind, this was in a fairly densely populated area of an east coast state in America. Apple stores are even further away in most parts of the world.

Here's another example, this time I had a macbook that needed a new battery. I was in Seattle this time, and had no car. The nearest Apple store was Apple University Village, and because I didn't have a car with me then it was a 30 minute bus trip (each way.) 1 hour total, and to make matters worse, I had to do this twice because the first time they told me they didn't even have the right battery in stock (even though I called first and had scheduled the first meeting.) So that's two full hours blown trying to get a new battery for my macbook, in one of the major tech cities of America. Abysmal!

Re: Apple's union-busting practices violated employee rights at NYC store

#74
post #68
post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Come on, nobody’s bombing Tim Cook’s house for flexible work schedules and paid parental leave at the Apple Store.

He is referring to the situation before / at the time unionization started. Modern unions are a peaceful reminder of the struggle for union rights. The US is pretty lonely among western nations in its treatment of workers right to organize and collectively bargain. Not that I’m fully endorsing unions. In my particular part of the world (Netherlands) unions lack broad support but are the only laborers party bargaining…

Oh, I was responding to this part of that comment, which is about the present day.

> Companies have forgotten about the older pact with unions to remove violence, and then now commit economic violence (destitution, starvation, etc). Maybe they should be reminded?

Re: Apple's union-busting practices violated employee rights at NYC store

#76
post #58

I know I should be on the side of union organizers, but it's difficult to sympathize with them when they simultaneously try to portray themselves as David fighting Goliath, but also portray themselves as helpless victims when they get their flyers are taken down during break rooms and made to watch presentations.

I don't see a specific mention of what exactly they did that was violating the law. Employers are allowed to talk to their employees about why they don't think a union is in the best interest of everyone involved. You are right though, it won't be a popular opinion, but a union's strength should not be impacted by taking down fliers in a break room. There are also laws saying that the company can't lie to employees a…

> You are right though, it won't be a popular opinion, but a union's strength should not be impacted by taking down fliers in a break room.

Why not? I don't see a way this makes sense unless we conveniently forget all about marketing, psychology and the like.

Re: Apple's union-busting practices violated employee rights at NYC store

#77
post #74
post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He is referring to the situation before / at the time unionization started. Modern unions are a peaceful reminder of the struggle for union rights. The US is pretty lonely among western nations in its treatment of workers right to organize and collectively bargain. Not that I’m fully endorsing unions. In my particular part of the world (Netherlands) unions lack broad support but are the only laborers party bargaining…

Oh, I was responding to this part of that comment, which is about the present day. > Companies have forgotten about the older pact with unions to remove violence, and then now commit economic violence (destitution, starvation, etc). Maybe they should be reminded?

Sorry, following dangs guidelines and didn’t even register the not so subtle call for violence ;)

Re: Apple's union-busting practices violated employee rights at NYC store

#78
post #41
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A huge part of the Apple marketing are their retail locations and "Geniuses." A great deal of the reason I bought my first Apple product was because of an employee in an Apple Store.

I highly doubt that's a huge part. My country has no Apple Stores and Apple is still very popular here.

While that is the case now, I'm talking about when the first iPhone was just about to come out. Apple barely has to bother with marketing now because of their huge success 10-15 years ago. Largely in part due to Apple stores on college campuses, in major retailers like Best Buy, and in city centers. It used to be that was the only way to learn about an Apple product. This was before the internet was widely available.

Re: Apple's union-busting practices violated employee rights at NYC store

#79
post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The stores are a pretty critical component in their sales, marketing, and support cycles, and generally considered a big part of their current success.

I don't think so. Apple Stores are mostly a US thing.

Even in urban areas of America, Apple Stores are often far away in inconvenient locations. Look at the map of Apple Stores in Seattle; it's a pain in the ass to get to one without a car.

Re: Apple's union-busting practices violated employee rights at NYC store

#80
post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The owners wouldn't have been able to make more out of their company without others working for them. So yes, they did create the wealth. The owners could've died at some point and the company still would create the wealth. Up until to a certain point it takes those owners but it's a synergy.

The workers could die at some point too, they will be replaced by new workers and no one would notice the difference. When do you notice the difference...when the owners or the top management are changed and the company strategy changes...not when a new iStore employee gets hired.

Funny, every company I have ever been a part of has taken out life insurance policies on me explicitly because if I suddenly die, it will take a while to replace me and it will cost a good amount to replace me.
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