Somewhere along the way, the social contract between workers and employers has completely disappeared in this country.
Workers now seem to be viewed solely as a cost to Corporate profits. Unless you are a CEO, CFO or other very high level employee…
I hate to tell them, but the way to avoid Unions, which most companies fear like the Plague, is to treat your workers fairly.
Apple doesn’t seem to get this…
This is a disturbing article, from AlterNet.com, about one of my favorite companies that makes some of my favorite things.
I’m an Apple Addict.
What makes this so disturbing is that I’ve always seen Apple as such a modern, forward-thinking company. And they are wildly successful and profitable.
Those workers who did ask received a consistent response: “Money shouldn’t be an issue when you’re employed at Apple.” Instead, managers said, the chance to work at Apple “should be looked at as an experience.” “You can’t live off of experience,” said the worker interviewed. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Apple has outpaced Tiffany & Co. jewelers in retail sales per square foot.
Employees said that Apple keeps its healthcare costs down by defining even employees working 40 hours a week as part-time if they can’t guarantee open availability (availability to be scheduled to work anytime the store is open). The three workers interviewed said that most employees at each of their stores either work second jobs or go to school, making open availability impossible.
These workers are instead offered Apple’s “part-time” health insurance plan, which costs them much more and the company much less. The Bay Area worker, who works 32 to 40 hours a week, is currently going without medication for a serious health condition because he can’t afford the $120 to $150 a month for the “part time” plan. “$120 a month is what I live on after rent and bills,” he said. All three employees said that the majority of their co-workers were classified as part time.
Lost in the 21st Century 