“Depoliticize it, cuz it's not about that. If there is a chance to utilize these rights to create better conditions and don't worry about the dues part of it because you'll get to see the contract and do the math. If the dues are worth it, sign the contract, right? If they aren't, you don't have to sign for it. As long as the workers are on the same page.”
Billy Jarboe, AppleCore Member and Organizer
In June 2022, more than 100 Apple store employees in Towson, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore, voted to unionize by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. Their union is called the Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (or AppleCORE) and they have joined the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). AppleCORE and IAM sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook in May 2022 informing him of the decision to organize their union, listing “access to rights we do not currently have” as a driving reason for the move, which has strong support from a majority of the workers.
According to Apple CORE’s statement, “Apple workers across the country are joining together to help the company live up to its values…Our commitment remains enriching lives by providing customers the best service possible. It’s time Apple and our managers acknowledge that commitment by respecting our rights and sitting down with us to negotiate over the issues that matter to us – scheduling, professional development and more. Joining together in union will provide us more power to make Apple better!”
EML Publishing had the opportunity to interview Billy Jarboe who is a member of AppleCORE and a key organizer at the Apple store in Towson where he has worked over a decade.
During this interview, we discussed:
You can learn more about AppleCore at their website (https://acoreunion.org/ and follow them on Twitter (https://twitter.com/acoreunion) and instagram (https://www.instagram.com/acoreunion/).
And you can follow Billy’s band Samskara on instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/samskaraband/.
Union Solidarity Forever.
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About the Labor Solidarity Podcast
The Labor Solidarity Podcast highlights the work of labor leaders while discussing historic struggles and the importance of organizing with the goal of building international labor solidarity. Learn more at: https://www.empathymedialab.com/laborsolidarity
The Labor Solidarity Podcast is a part of the EML Publishing brands and we are a proud member of The Labor Radio Podcast Network. Learn more: https://wlo.link/@empathymedialab
#LaborRadioPod
#1U
#UnionStrong
#AppleCore
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84. Paths of Renewed Encounter - Fratelli Tutti Chapter 7 - Belief Street
83. LRPN Livestream - Kim Kelly (Teen Vogue Labor Columnist), Damon Silvers (AFL-CIO Policy Director), George Mann (Labor Folksinger & Songwriter)
82. Dialogue and Friendship in Society - Fratelli Tutti Chapter 6 - Belief Street
81. Alan Wierdak contributor to Labor History Today - Labor Radio Podcast Member Spotlight Series
80. Chris Bangert-Drowns reporter with 89.3 WPFW - Labor Radio Podcast Member Spotlight Series
79. Patrick Dixon Co-Producer of Labor History Today - Labor Radio Podcast Member Spotlight Series
78. Power Struggle - Episode 4 - New Years Eve Special & 2020 Recap
77. Simon Sapper of the Union Dues - Labor Radio Podcast Member Spotlight Series
76. Jacob Morrison of The Valley Labor Report - Labor Radio Podcast Member Spotlight Series
75. Gene Lantz of Workers Beat - Labor Radio Podcast Member Spotlight Series
74. A Better Kind of Politics - Fratelli Tutti Chapter 5 - Belief Street
73. Marc Bélanger of RadioLabour - Labor Radio Podcast Member Spotlight Series
72. John Andrechak of Laborlines - Labor Radio Podcast Member Spotlight Series
71. A Heart Open to the Whole World - Fratelli Tutti Chapter 4 - Belief Street
70. Dan Golodner of Tales from the Reuther Library - Labor Radio Podcast Member Spotlight Series
69. Envisaging and Engendering an Open World - Fratelli Tutti Chapter 3 - Belief Street
68. A Stranger on the Road - Fratelli Tutti Chapter 2 - Belief Street
67. Kayla Blado, President Nonprofit Professional Employees Union - LRPN Livestream (shortened)
66. Timothy Sheard, Publisher of Hard Ball Press - LRPN Livestream (shortened)
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