NLRB Certifies IAM-CORE’s Historic Union Election, Apple Plans to Bargain and Not Contest

On Tuesday the National Labor Relations Board certified the union election in which Apple store employees in Towson, Md. voted to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (CORE) with a two-thirds majority.

READ: Apple Store workers approve union, the first in the U.S. (the Washington Post)

The National Labor Relations Board announced the vote count of 68 in favor and 33 not in favor on Saturday, June 18, and every major news outlet covered the historic union election, a first for Apple employees in the United States.

WATCH: IAM-CORE members react to their union election victory

When asked about the Towson store’s union win, President of the United States Joe Biden told reporters, “I am proud of them. Workers have a right to determine under what condition they are going to work or not work.”

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi tweeted her congratulations to IAM CORE in reference to a video of members celebrating: “Congratulations to Apple workers organizing with @acoreunion @MachinistsUnion and making history. House Democrats passed the PRO Act because we believe every worker deserves a union and this moment.”

Immediately after the election results were known, IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. asked Apple CEO Tim Cook to “respect the election results and fast-track a first contract for the dedicated IAM CORE Apple employees in Towson.”

READ:

Machinists Union’s Coalition of Organized Retail Employees Wins Historic Organizing Campaign to Represent Towson, Md. Apple Workers (IAM);

Apple would be unwise to fight ‘lopsided’ union vote, expert says (Yahoo Finance)

In response to news that Apple does plan to accept IAM CORE’s union election results and bargain in good faith, IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan said that members “look forward to bargaining with Apple and obtaining a strong first contract that makes positive changes for Apple workers and the customers they are proud to serve.”

READ: Apple ready to bargain with its first U.S. store to unionize (Reuters)

Press:

Biden Says He’s ‘Proud’ of Apple Workers Voting to Unionize (Bloomberg)

Apple Workers at Maryland Store Vote to Unionize, a First in the U.S. (The New York Times)

Video: Apple store employees in Towson become company’s first in US to unionize (WBAL)

Apple workers at Maryland store vote 2-1 to organize (Associated Press)

Maryland Apple store votes to unionize in first for company’s US locations (The Hill)

Background:

WATCH: Why Apple Workers in Maryland are Organizing with the Machinists Union

READ: Maryland Apple Store Employees Move to Join the IAM

READ: Maryland Apple Store Employees File for Election to Join Machinists Union

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