Unionized Maryland Apple Store Workers Request 10% Raise and Option to Accept Customer Tips

[venom600]

As a former Apple Retail employee, I can understand the desire to accept tips. There were many instances where I would be offered a tip by a customer. In most cases it was after I brought the machine to their vehicle and loaded it in for them. We were under no circumstances allowed to accept tips, and would get fired if we did. The only time I was allowed to accept one was when a customer had a purchase worth almost twenty thousand dollars and they said they would return it if I couldn't take the tip and the store manager allowed it, so long as I used it to buy the whole staff lunch that day.

That said, asking for tips like they are suggesting is infuriating.

 

[FelixDerKater]

Companies should pay their employees a wage that doesn't require reliance on the generosity of customers to supplement their salaries.

 

[icanhazmac]

Companies should pay their employees a wage that doesn't require reliance on the generosity of customers to supplement their salaries.

Apple already does that.

Will someone please tell me what is enough for an entry level job? Where does this end? Apple is already widely known for offering a competitive salary and benefits.

At what point is enough enough? Or does this keep going to line the pockets of union bosses?

 

[GizmoDVD]

Apple already does that.

Will someone please tell me what is enough for an entry level job? Where does this end? Apple is already widely known for offering a competitive salary and benefits.

At what point is enough enough? Or does this keep going to line the pockets of union bosses?

There is a reason why the unions go after service jobs like Starbucks and Apple.

 

[bLackjackj]

And even when employers offer paid time off, some employees are afraid to use it for fear of being terminated. Crazy.

It makes no sense, as it costs the employer the longer the employee holds onto your leave. It also reduces productivity according to many studies.

In Australia, employees with more than 30 days Annual Leave are encouraged to use it by their employers.

In Australia, you are not worried about using your leave, as you cannot be unfairly terminated. We have industrial laws that prevent this and unions that would also back you. We even have a court of arbitration for employees that feel they have been unfairly dismissed.

The US is so far behind the rest of the world.

 

[RumorConsumer]

As a former Apple retail employee Im disgusted. Tips. Come on people. Just do the job.

 

[bousozoku]

But if you cat dies, don't need a few days off, ya know, paid time off?

That's what they are also asking for. Apple should close this location down.

I currently work at a retail store and two of a newer team member's pets died and he wanted several days off. He was a recent hire, so they weren't going to give him more than unpaid time. To me, not counting him absent was more than fair.

 

[monster620ie]

I support unionizing and pay rise accordingly.

The tip part seems at Apple Store silly just like in many places.

 

[icanhazmac]

There is a reason why the unions go after service jobs like Starbucks and Apple.

Gullible, idiot employees who believe their lack of skills, education and ambition can be overcome by unions?

 

[JM]

FFS they get paid VERY WELL already. They have amazing benefits. This is just a bunch of people trying to jump on the unionize train which will end up with consumers paying higher prices and getting crappier, slower service.

Nah. More like Apple Store replacing people with vending machines.

 

[dohspc]

What are we tipping for now?

 

[CC77]

Here is a tip: get an education and don't depend on retail jobs for a living.

So who should work retail jobs then, by your logic?

 

[icanhazmac]

So who should work retail jobs then, by your logic?

Teens, first jobs, 2nd jobs for extra cash? The point is retail jobs aren’t supposed to be household sustaining.

 

[CC77]

Instead of tipping how about they get Donuts, Cookies, Chocolates, or Food? That will make them appreciative of working there.

Look, I don’t know how you have time to have a job at all, considering you have to time to jump onto these forums instantly, for every article, all day, every time, and comment multiple times the typical anti-worker bs, but if you think working for Apple is seriously as good as you think it is, why aren’t you working there?

Imagine tipping an Apple Store Employee because they SMILED at you.

No one said that. You’re just inventing arguments to be mad at.

 

[CC77]

Teens, first jobs, 2nd jobs for extra cash? The point is retail jobs aren’t supposed to be household sustaining.

So, the Apple Store only be open after school working hours then? 3-6? So we can be sure it’s only run by teens, of course.

 

[doboy]

Tips and guns. This is what's wrong with America 🤣

 

[verdi1987]

I’m already paying hundreds of dollars on AppleCare+. I’m not tipping. They are also always running behind. At least at my local Apple Store, if you arrive early or on-time for your appointment, you still have to wait quite a while.

 

[lobbyist]

I don't tip because society says I have to. I tip when somebody deserves a tip. When somebody really puts forth an effort, they deserve a little something extra. But this tipping automatically, that’s for the birds. As far as I'm concerned, they're just doing their job.

 

[zapmymac]

So tired of the new rise of asking for tips everywhere In the usa

 

[NY Guitarist]

I'm all for unionizing but I don't get the tip idea for retail workers.

I hate how tipping is part of the culture, especially the business model for restaurants that pay workers very little and force them to live with income insecurity.

Tipping needs to go away.

 

[ender78]

Apple made $117 Billion revenue last quarter. FFS pay these people more. And for those who demonise Unions. You happy for obscene corporate profits while underpaying the very staff that are responsible? As for tipping, that's a bit counterproductive. In Australia we dont tip and businesses have to pay people appropriately. Tips generally are used as an excuse to subsidise the wages when the business should be paying people more.

I will start off by saying that I work in a unionized job, but when the opening round of the negotiations includes tipping, they are setting themselves off for failure. Unions have power only with extensive representation. One store negotiating against the entire company is not likely to succeed. Apple provides benefits well above the industry average in retail. Tipping, since when has that been a thing in any industry other than retail or food delivery. Tipping ! .. Tipping ?

 

[monstermash]

So who should work retail jobs then, by your logic?

High school kids and "adults" living at home with mommy and daddy.

Or, maybe just mommy, given the state of family structures these days.

 

[ender78]

Yes, some of that seems pretty "shaky" to me too. However, this is how unionized negotiating goes. Union asks for a LOT, company offers a little. Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate and some settlement is reached between the extremes that makes both parties happy.

No, organized negotiations are within the realm of possibility. You ask for more with the hope that you get 60-70% of what you ask. Asking for 45 days of bereavement leave for non family .. ? Doesn't sound like the people leading the negotiations are experienced.

 

[AgentOSX]

These people are not demanding all customer's tip them... nor for Apple to tip them. I suspect that in service to some customers, some of those customers offer them a tip in appreciation. Apparently, they can't accept any such tip right now. They are apparently wanting that policy to change. If a customer offers them a tip, they want to be able to take it.

Nope. I have been going to Apple Stores and done Apple business since literally the first day one opened in Los Angeles, and not once have I ever seen anyone ever offer a tip. And a 20% tip on a $3000 laptop? Really? 600? Get real.

 

[ender78]

In Canada tipped employees are paid the same minimum wage, 16.55, yet they still ask for 20% tip. It’s greed.

Are you working for anywhere close to $16.55 an hour, no it's not greed. You cannot live off of minimum wage. I would much rather pay a higher price at the door and not have to re-calculate for the 15-20% tip.