Apple workers in Oklahoma vote to buy the company’s second union store in the US

Employees at apple A store in Oklahoma City voted on Friday to join a union, becoming the second unified Apple Store in the United States

The vote is a defeat for Apple, which opposed the efforts of unions across the country. It’s a win for the Communications Workers of America, which now represents workers at an Apple store after efforts to separate unions at stores in Georgia and New York City were halted.

The number was 56 votes in favor and 32 against. Approximately 94 employees were eligible to join CWA. The vote was taken earlier this week.

“Penn Square Apple’s retail workers are a wonderful addition to our growing labor movement, and we are delighted to welcome them as members of CWA,” Sarah Stevens, CWA’s Secretary of the Treasurer, said in a statement.

“We believe the open, direct, and collaborative relationship we enjoy with our valued team members is the best way to deliver an excellent experience to our customers and teams,” Apple said in a statement, adding that since 2018 it has increased start-up wages in the United States by 45%.

The National Labor Relations Board will certify the votes next week. Next, Apple has to negotiate with the union about working conditions.

Apple opposed the union, according to a CWA filing earlier this month, which alleged Apple management held anti-union meetings and threatened to withhold franchises from stores that make up a union.

The first Apple store in the United States, represented by the International Federation of Mechanics and Aerospace Workers in Maryland, is preparing to start formal negotiations with Apple. According to Bloomberg News,Apple told employees there that it won’t get some perks such as pre-payment for tuition or access to online courses, because it will need to negotiate with the union.

Apple is one of the most valuable companies in the world, with global sales exceeding $365 billion in 2021. It has about 270 stores in the United States