Apple Increasing Starting Pay for Hourly Workers to at Least $22 Per Hour

[MacRumors]

Apple today notified employees that it is increasing starting pay for hourly workers to a minimum of $22 per hour, and higher in certain markets, reports The Wall Street Journal. The move comes as the company seeks to deal with inflation, a tight labor market, and recent unionization efforts.

The new starting wage represents a 45% increase compared to 2018 and will most prominently affect retail workers. Salaried positions are also expected to see starting increases.

“Supporting and retaining the best team members in the world enables us to deliver the best, most innovative, products and services for our customers,” an Apple spokesman said in a statement. “This year as part of our annual performance review process, we’re increasing our overall compensation budget.”

Apple retail workers have started looking to unionize in a small number of stores, seeking higher pay and expanded benefits such as increased vacation time and improved retirement options.

Just today, Apple's head of retail Deirdre O'Brien sent a video message to retail store employees to address those efforts, arguing that while it is workers' right join a union, there could be downsides for workers if they choose to do so.

Article Link: Apple Increasing Starting Pay for Hourly Workers to at Least $22 Per Hour

 

[Justin Cymbal]

I’m glad that Apple is doing this

I applied to work at the Apple Store about 10 years ago but didn’t get hired at that time

I would love to try to reapply, especially now that the starting pay is $22/hour

 

[exoticSpice]

Apple feeling the union heat! good.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

🤦🏻‍ It's about time. Good move by Apple. I’m sure Apple retail employees will be happy. Apple needs to work on the benefit packages too.

 

[I7guy]

That is a good starting point. Pay your employees well to lessen the chance for unionization.

 

[Slix]

What was the starting pay just before this? I can't find that info here, and the 45% increase since 2018 isn't clear if that's directly increased or over time yearly or something.

 

[4jasontv]

Promote from within Apple!

 

[Caliber26]

Don’t be too quick to pat Timmy on the back. This will simply be passed down to us through an increase in cost for upcoming devices.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Don’t be too quick to pat Timmy on the back. This will simply be passed down to us through an increase in cost for upcoming devices.

Oh yeah, lol the prices of iPhones will be going up. It's the consumers that end up paying in the end. But Apple made too much money selling that $19 Apple polishing cloth.

 

[DogHouseDub]

will current employees below that $22 threshold be bumped up?

 

[Morod]

Apple needs to do this.

 

[Rychiar]

15+ years into my graphic design career and $22 an hour still sounds like a pipe dream

 

[TSE]

I strongly prefer this to unionizing. Union crony fat cats don't care about employees. They are just as if not more corrupt than a lot of "evil" corporations.

This is the best case scenario for everyone - unions don't add a layer of corrupt bureaucracy to Apple, and employees get paid fairly. Win-win.

 

[CrazyForCashews]

Price increase for the next iPhones incoming.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Price increase for the next iPhones incoming.

Thats what I suspect too, we are gonna end up paying for it. But I don't mind since I only upgrade every few years.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

What was the starting pay just before this? I can't find that info here, and the 45% increase since 2018 isn't clear if that's directly increased or over time yearly or something.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1529639898784878594

 

[citysnaps]

Sounds good!

Looking forward to seeing how people here will react to higher prices to compensate for that.

 

[macar00n]

Bravo, Apple. If customers can't afford higher prices due to this, that is tough for the customers, but doesn't mean we should pay workers below a living wage. If you can't afford an iPhone after this, that's nothing compared to retail workers that work full time and still can't afford to live. This will put positive pressure on other companies.

The cynic in me knows this is primarily to avoid unionization, but this will pressure other companies to keep up with wages nevertheless.

 

[Octavius8]

Wow!. Hire me!. I am computer engineer with a “ok salary” in my country, but $22usd per hour is “upper middle class” over here.

 

[NinjaHERO]

The best way to fight unionization is to pay your employees fairly.

 

[jimthing]

...and in NYC. Are they not gonna unionise for that.
Doubt it.

 

[planteater]

It’s good that they are doing that, but I can’t imagine many urban markets typical of where Apple opens stores where that is a sufficient rate. It doesn’t even match inflation going from $20 to $22.

 

[dannyyankou]

Even if organizing to unionize is unsuccessful in the end, it at least pushes companies to make improvements. So that's good.

 

[Le0M]

But the real question is: in the US only? Or worldwide?

 

[JPack]

Too late. Unionization will still likely happen.

If you know anything about labor relations, unionization happens overwhelming because of inequality, perceived or otherwise. A simple pay increase won't fix arbitrary decisions on promotions, vacation scheduling, overtime opportunities, and overall career advancement in the organization.