Seattle Apple Store Staff Threaten Walkout Over “Abusive” Management
10:34 am, September 22nd, 2009, Leander Kahney
Staff at an Apple retail store in Seattle are planning a walkout over “abusive” management, the first labor dispute to hit the company’s super-successful retail chain, IFOAppleStore is reporting.
Employees at Apple’s Alderwood Mall store claim the store’s management is “abusive” and cite unspecified violations of state and federal labor laws.
Apple’s human resources department hasn’t properly investigated their complaints, and even an appeal to the head of the chain, Ron Johnson, went unheeded, the staff told IFOApplestore.
Workers are planning a walkout at 1PM on October 3 if no action is taken before then.
The threat of industrial action is unusual for Apple’s stores, which have a reputation as a good place to work and an unusually high retention rate for retail.
Apple claims the turn-over rate for Apple store employees is just 20%, compared to an industry average of well over 50%.
Posted by Leander Kahney in Apple, News, Retail Stores | Comment on this article
I usually prefer going to that Apple Store over the one in the university village mainly because parking is easier and they are about equal distance. I must say when I purchased my new MacBook Pro the staff seemed a bit stressed and it seems like every time I go in there they never have the same genius’s.
The store in the University Village they are always very friendly and eager to please. I didn’t know it was that extreme up in Alderwood.
Tristan, on September 22nd, 2009 at 11:56 am
It would be nice to have a LITTLE more information on what constitutes “abusive”. As a customer the management at that store have always been extremely friendly and helpful whenever I have a problem…
Jason Byfield, on September 22nd, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Nice. I used to work at a high profile Apple store and I really wished my co-workers could have organized one of these. Management is usually better qualified for folding sweaters than backing up employees or dealing with irate computer customers.
latestcraze, on September 22nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
That was nice of them to give Apple 2 weeks to find a new staff.
Aaron, on September 22nd, 2009 at 12:48 pm
i was abusive to my staff.
pfradin, on September 22nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I, too, wish we had done this when I worked for the Victoria Gardens store in California. Our former GAP managers were abusive and ignorant to the technology they both sold and supported.
I expect to see more of this coming out of Apple’s retail stores.
scott, on September 22nd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
So they are planning an iWalkout.
Patrick, on September 22nd, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Definition of abusive? How about this….the put stuff up our butts!!! And not just small stuff like iPod shuffles, but big stuff too like MacBooks and Mac Pros. Is that abusive enough for you.
Do you like the super secret walk out we have planned for Oct 3? I guess we are ok with stuff put in our butts for two more weeks.
Alderwood Anony, on September 22nd, 2009 at 5:01 pm
pfradin… Paul???
someone&soho, on September 22nd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
AA: I think folks were expecting something more than “they treat us like shit”. cause that’s not illegal by any stretch. I work retail too and I work for a manager that is probably the biggest Beeyotch in the world. but she’s careful not to cross the legal line. apparently your manager(s) did. so spill it. what were they doing that was totally ignored by your HR department. was the boss promising more hours to those that slept with him. were they staffing the floor so slim that folks couldn’t take breaks according to the legal timelines.
Charli, on September 22nd, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Funny thing you write about this particular store. I literally live less than 5 minutes from this location. I bought my first new Mac from this place and have always gone to the U Village, Bellevue, and even the Southcenter store before I ever go back to this store. I have a real problem with spending 3000 dollars on a premium product and getting a “brush you off” attitude almost evey time I go in there.
Don’t get me wrong, I gonthere from time to time to pick up small stuff like a case for my 3gs but ANY major purchases or advice, or even just to chat about Apple crap, I avoid this store like the swine flu. I see now that there is something behind all that weirdness I feel in that place.
Steven, on September 22nd, 2009 at 10:07 pm
I, too, work at an Apple store. I do agree that most of my managers would be better at folding sweaters or thumbing their asses. Everything about these stores is a facade. It’s not a great place to work, it doesn’t pay bills, but where else would I go? I stick with it because of the economy. Not a happy place.
AnotherAppleEmp, on September 22nd, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Or maybe they’re trying to cover a defection to one of the new Microsoft stores…
Optical, on September 23rd, 2009 at 12:01 am
That’s right, stick it to them and walk out . . . then next week you can test your skills flipping burgers.
Rplat, on September 23rd, 2009 at 8:08 am
I have been a loyal Mac owner for over 30 years. I am not familiar with the Seattle area and my only connection there is that I have a granddaughter (also a Mac owner) who teaches school there. However, reading ALL the messages, suggests to me that this matter OUGHT to be investigated – this smoldering disgruntlement is NOT good for business – of any kind, in ANY economic climate!
Ray Adams
Raymond K. Adams, on September 24th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Manager Definition: A Manager is the person responsible for planning and directing the work of a group of individuals, monitoring their work, and taking corrective action when necessary.
It doesn’t take an iGenius to know that if you can get a store load of retail employees to all agree to walkout, it’s more than a few disgruntled employees making trouble. It’s a management issue; you reap what you sow. I’ve replaced managers before and even not knowing what the exact issues are in this case this store manager would no longer have a job working for me. Regardless of what excuse he or she might have she has failed to effectively lead the team, so bad so that it got to the point where an internal store issue made the news and tarnished the corporate image. Sorry there is NOTHING you can say that would change my mind. Even if every employee was covered in blood from sacrificing the children of kidnapped customers, management is responsible for their team, that is their job. This manager has without a doubt failed and deserves to be replaced.
Greg, on October 5th, 2009 at 5:05 pm