Apple Employees in France have Initiated a Strike As the iPhone 15 is Released in stores.
Apple store workers in France initiated a countrywide strike on Friday, expressing their dissatisfaction with wages and working conditions. The timing of the protest was intentional, coinciding with the release of the iPhone 15.
“We are still the people who make Apple’s wealth, and therefore I think that we deserve a little more honorable treatment than what we are given today,” said Anais Durel, a 36-year old who has worked for Apple for 10 years.
A CGT union official said that “a few hundred” of Apple France’s retail staff of about 2,300 had participated in the strike. He added that all the Apple France stores had remained open on Friday, albeit with lower staffing levels.
“Inflation is still quite nasty. There are a lot of employees who are experiencing difficulties,” said Tarek, a CGT union leader who declined to give his last name.
“The goal is not at all to block sales of the iPhone, the goal is really to bring awareness to this situation,” he added.
Around 20 workers are planning to organize an information picket outside the central Barcelona store on Paseo de Gracia at midday, as stated by Pablo Paredes, the leader of the CNT Apple union, according to Reuters.
“We have been talking since August to our colleagues on strike in France. In Spain, unlike them, not all the unions have agreed to strike,” Paredes said.
One of the demands is a 7% wage increase to offset inflation (Apple is suggesting 4.5%). Moreover, the negotiators are requesting Apple to end a hiring freeze that has been implemented for a month. Union leaders stated that Apple proposed an average 4.5% raise for employees in the country, which they declined.
The main union for Apple employees in France, Cidre-CFTC, issued a statement saying:
“Apple has often been exemplary, and the vast majority of its employees are proud to work there. However, for the past several months, dialogue has been at a standstill. Obligatory annual negotiations have been swept aside without any real discussion during two meetings.”
The iPhone 15 is expected to be a major upgrade from the previous models, with a new design, improved camera, faster processor, and longer battery life. The device has generated a lot of buzz and excitement among Apple fans and tech enthusiasts, who are eager to get their hands on it as soon as possible.
Apple has not provided any comments on the potential impact of the strike on its sales and operations in France. However, it is probable that the company will encounter certain disruptions and delays in delivering its new product to customers. Apple has previously experienced similar difficulties, for instance, it was compelled to suspend sales of its iPhone 12 model in France due to radiation levels surpassing the safety limit set by the European Union.
Apple is not the only tech company that has faced labor unrest in recent years. Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Uber have also seen their workers organize and demand better working conditions, wages, benefits, and rights. The tech industry, which has been booming amid the pandemic and digital transformation, is facing increasing scrutiny and pressure from its employees, customers, regulators, and competitors.
Relevant articles:
-Apple workers go on strike in France right as the iPhone 15 hits stores，CBS NEWS， Sept. 22, 2023
-Apple workers go on strike in France right as the iPhone 15 hits stores，Reuters,
Sept. 22, 2023.
- Apple France Workers Call Strike Ahead of IPhone 15 Launch, U.S. News, Sept. 20, 2023
- The iPhone 15 launch in France could be disrupted after Apple store workers voted to strike on release day, Business Insider, Sept. 20, 2023
- French Apple Store staff will strike as iPhone 15 goes on sale, Apple Insider, Sept. 20, 2023
- French Apple workers call strike on iPhone 15 debut, Digital Journal, Sept. 20, 2023
Originally published at https://trendydigests.com on September 22, 2023.
I am a tech writer for Trendy Digests, a website that provides insightful and informative content in various fields. I write about topics such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and more. I also often share great articles written by other Trendy Digest editors on Medium.
You can follow me on TrendyDigests.com to read more of my articles and learn more about me.
