Apple corporate and retail workers in the United States have launched a Christmas Eve walkout, demanding better working conditions.
The walkout has been organized by Apple Together, a group of company employees that previously used the #AppleToo hashtag to shed light on racism, sexual harassment, sexism, and other workplace issues at the tech giant.
In a tweet on Thursday, the group issued a list of demands and urged customers to boycott Apple retail or online stores. The walkout was executed on Friday, but it was not clear how many staffers were participating.
“We deserve a respectful workplace. We deserve paid sick time. We deserve protection on the frontlines. We deserve proper mental healthcare,” the employees said.
The workers are also asking the company to provide them with protective measures against COVID-19 amid a new surge of infections, including N-95 masks, sanitizer stations, and appointment-only shopping.
“Demand that Apple upholds its image with your wallet,” the walkout organizers said. “Don’t shop in stores, don’t shop online.”
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Apple has largely ignored demands by its employees for flexible work options.
Janneke Parrish, Apple Together member, and former company product manager, filed a complaint with the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) last month, claiming Apple had terminated her contract for helping coworkers share their experiences of sexism and other discrimination in the workplace.
Parrish followed Ashley Gjøvik—a former Apple product manager who was fired after speaking out against workplace issues in filing an NLRB complaint against the company.
The NLRB is currently investigating the two complaints against Apple. Additionally, the US Department of Labor is also looking into the firing of Ashley Gjøvik.
