Apple employees organizing for ‘systemic change’ in workplace

Apple workers are organizing to push for better workplace conditions across the Silicon Valley giant’s corporate, tech and retail branches. 

A website and Twitter page launched Monday, under the name Apple Too, calling for workers to share their experiences to “expose persistent patterns” of racism, sexism, discrimination, intimidation and more.

“For too long, Apple has evaded public scrutiny. The truth is that for many Apple workers — a reality faced disproportionately by our Black, Indigenous, and other colleagues from minoritized racial, gender, and historically marginalized groups of people — the culture of secrecy creates an opaque, intimidating fortress,” the website states.

The workers behind the anonymous website say that when they’ve pressed for accountability, they’ve been faced with a “pattern of isolation, degradation, and gaslighting.”

“No more. We’ve exhausted all internal avenues. We’ve talked with our leadership. We’ve gone to the People team. We’ve escalated through Business Conduct. Nothing has changed,” they add. 

A Twitter account associated with the hashtag #AppleToo is also sharing posts from current or former Apple workers alleging discrimination or unfair workplace conditions at the company. 

An Apple spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Tech giants have faced mounting scrutiny over their workplace conditions, often voicing similar concerns around workplace discrimination and fears of retaliation. 

Google faced fierce pushback from advocates and workers after the dismissal of top artificial intelligence researcher Timinit Gebru. Google Walkout For Real Change, a workers’ group which has pushed back on the company over Gebru’s dismissal, shared support for the nascent Apple organizing effort.

“If you work at Apple, we hope you’ll join your coworkers @AppleLaborers fighting for a better workplace for all. The issues we’ve been fighting aren’t just found at Google, they’re systemic – #AppleToo. Spread the word!” the group tweeted.

If you work at Apple, we hope you’ll join your coworkers @AppleLaborers fighting for a better workplace for all. The issues we’ve been fighting aren’t just found at Google, they’re systemic – #AppleToo. Spread the word! https://t.co/4jZ1oB0HK2

— Google Walkout For Real Change (@GoogleWalkout) August 23, 2021

Employees at Amazon Web Services petitioned the company to launch an external investigation into allegations of discrimination after a series of lawsuits against the company. 

Amazon Web Services CEO Adam Selipsky told the workers the company would hire an external investigator. The company has also pushed back on the allegations detailed in the complaints that range across the e-commerce giant’s corporate offices and warehouses.