Organizing News: Apple Reaches Deal With Investors to Audit Its Labor Practices

In the midst of ongoing organizing efforts by Apple workers in New York City and several other locations throughout the country that have been met with intense anti-union pushback from the company, Apple has come under fire for violations to its official human rights policy. Federal regulators and employees are speaking out about Apple’s repeated violation of workers rights - especially when it comes to worker organizing. Investors in Apple have voiced concerns about these violations, and begun taking action.

“There’s a big apparent gap between Apple’s stated human rights policies regarding worker organizing, and its practices,” said NYC Comptroller and CWA ally Brad Lander.

A collection of investors accounting for almost $7 billion in company shares, including New York City pension funds overseen by the Comptroller, has asked the company to conduct an assessment of its U.S. labor practices. The group has recommended the audit be done by a third party that does not aid companies in union busting.

CWA released a statement saying, in part, that “while a credible, independent assessment by individuals or organizations with the appropriate expertise on workers' freedom of association could uncover important information about Apple's response to worker organizing, including its use of union busting consultants, workers need concrete solutions now. Apple must commit to a true policy of neutrality toward union organizing efforts.”

Read the full statement here.