Apple faces complaint from US labor board over benefits for union workers

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is facing charges from the federal labor board after it allegedly excluded unionized retail workers from a benefits boost in 2022, Bloomberg News reported.

A National Labor Relations Board regional director filed a complaint on Tuesday based on charges that the Cupertino, Calif.-based company violated federal labor laws by refusing to provide unionized workers at an Apple store in Towson, Maryland enhanced benefits in 2022, the report added.

The tech giant had announced a new suite of perks for U.S. retail and corporate employees in October 2022, which include new medical benefits, prepaying a part of tuition for outside education, and free access to a premium Coursera subscription.

The International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, representing the workers, lodged a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board after it was excluded from some benefits. It alleged unfair labor practice charges over the benefits changes in November 2022, according to the report.

An agency spokesperson said on Tuesday that the complaint alleged that the tech giant discriminated against the Towson workers and utilized the benefits to discourage staff at other locations from unionizing, the report noted.

The complaint comes on the heels of a ruling by a National Labor Relations Board, or NRLB, judge in September noting that Starbucks (SBUX) illegally excluded unionized baristas from its nationwide wage and benefits increases in 2022.

The Towson location was the first Apple store to unionize in 2022, while a second store in Oklahoma City shortly soon after. Apple has faced complaints before the NLRB in the past with the IAM Coalition of Organized Retail Employees alleging Apple of failing to bargain in good faith.