Apple Union/Bargaining Representative Listening Meeting 👂

Apple breaks its silence since the No vote

Dec 7, 2022

Hello,

Today Apple finally broke its silence and held a meeting with the unions and employees bargaining representatives. Here’s what happened:

Apple introduced its new lawyers — Apple has changed representation from Baker McKenzie to Clayton Utz
Cilla Robinson, Partner at Clayton Utz, revealed that Apple was “shocked” by the outcome of the ballot, and that they weren’t expecting a No vote.
Also present on the call was Murali Karuppiah, Market Leader for AppleCare JAPAC; and Inger Adamson, Market Leader for Sydney Metro Retail. Apple explained that they had been invited to attend to provide further context from their respective business arms.
Apple intends to resume bargaining in late January/early February at a “much slower pace”; largely in response to feedback it received during bargaining. Apple, working with its attorneys and the bargaining representatives and unions, will be drafting bargaining protocol which will cover things like meeting schedules and agendas.
Unions were invited to provide feedback:
The SDA expressed that they were keen to resume bargaining as soon as possible; that they would prefer greater spacing between meetings; that Apple’s responses lacked “substance” when responding to claims and questions and that the SDA is seeking a proper dialogue; recommending a drafting sub-group to ensure better agreement drafts that are clear and not controversial; and that Apple present drafts in a timely manner and not last minute to allow everyone adequate time to review changes and agree to changes before proceeding.
The ASU requested scheduled meetings with notice and to allow delegates and bargaining representatives time and space to attend meetings; seconding the drafting group proposal by the SDA; asking questions about the proposed ‘Feedback Sessions’ that Apple plans to hold for employees from December-January.
RAFFWU indicated that they were going to continue with industrial action until an agreement was met. RAFFWU also expressed their disapproval that Apple took time to ‘pause’ negotiations and wants to resume bargaining immediately. They also reiterated that industrial action is the only way to secure an agreement.
Individual bargaining representatives were also invited to provide feedback, much of which was about the contrast between the communication styles of Retail and AppleCare, and the communication received during bargaining and a conflict in ideals and values; many people spoke of the emotional toll that bargaining took on them due to the way meetings were scheduled and the content and conduct during those meetings.
Apple has shared that ‘Feedback Sessions’ for employees will begin to be held from December 8 until later in the month and then resume in January. The feedback collected from these meetings will be shared with the People team, Leadership, and with the wider team on the People site.

Until January, we hope you have a safe and happy holiday season and acknowledge the work that is done during that time to make everyone else’s holidays magical.

In solidarity,

Apple Together Australia