The Apple store in Penn Square Mall has temporarily relocated while the existing space is expanded and receives a $2.5 million remodel, and in the process bring one of the first of Apple's new stores to Oklahoma City.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/applenew1.jpg

Apple recently promoted Jony Ive to Chief Design Officer and the new stores are one of his first and most ambitious projects.

Apple officially opened one of its first Ive-inspired "next-generation" retail stores this March in suburban Memphis and plans show the Penn Square location will get the same treatment.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/applenew2.jpg

The Oklahoma City store moved to temporary space on the 2nd level of the mall in April while the ambitious renovation takes place.

The new stores are described as having a high-flung ceiling lined with light panels and spotlights, which illuminate product display tables that have been arranged to maximize floor space and achieve a sense of openness.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/applenew3.jpg

New wooden accessory display installations adorn the walls, and feature a headphone tryout area along with shelves for speakers, docks and other products.

The storefront will feature huge floor-to-ceiling glass panels, and all will pivot 90 degrees to create almost complete openness.

Perhaps the biggest change will be the massive video screen located at the rear of the store. Previous stores featured a service counter in this area but it has been removed completely, allowing for full viewing of the huge edge-to-edge display.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/applenew4.jpg

In February 2015, The New Yorker ran a profile of Jony Ive which included details of the collaboration between Ive and retail chief Angela Ahrendts in coming up with the redesign, which is slowly being introduced in the company's latest stores.

In December, 60 Minutes viewers got a peek at Apple's next-generation design when correspondent Charlie Rose spoke to Ahrendts in a mock store located in an unmarked warehouse off Apple's Cupertino headquarters.

The new Oklahoma City Apple store should open in time for the holidays.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/applenew5.jpg

Now open (thanks to warreng88 for the photo):

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/apple111916.jpg

https://nypost.com/2022/09/02/apple-union-wave-continues-as-oklahoma-store-files-for-election/

disappointing when local, OKC stories have to be covered by the nation's largest newspaper and not a mention on the local media. I wonder if this was by design (since it's union focused) or if the OKC media is truly that incompetent (aside from OKC Talk of course).

I know I have been harsh on the TV stations and the Oklahoman and I'm committed to being less so. My points have been made and I think everyone understands what I have been saying.

So I don't mean this in a negative way, just sharing what I've learned about the way these organizations operate: There is very little original reporting. They all are mostly just lifting information from other media sources or waiting for press releases.

The reason I typically post full press releases rather than lightly rewriting them in an attempt to make it look like reporting is this: I believe it's unethical, particularly if it's not mentioned you are merely repeating something in a release. And by posting the original release, I hope others will then look at what is presented as reporting and realize it really isn't (case in point: the press release I posted about the Dolese HQ vs. what was written in the Oklahoman).


I'm over the shock of all this and am trying very hard to not be perpetually appalled, so I present all this merely as FYI.

As much as I believe these practices are bad for OKC, I also realize these legacy organizations are never going to change, and that's not because of depleted newsrooms. These habits go back decades it's just that most of us never had any way of knowing that until relatively recently.

disappointing when local, OKC stories have to be covered by the nation's largest newspaper and not a mention on the local media. I wonder if this was by design (since it's union focused) or if the OKC media is truly that incompetent (aside from OKC Talk of course).

I doubt it has anything to do with unions and everything with how much local media has declined recently. OU football, which is probably the biggest story in the state, suspended a starting tackle on Wednesday and it still hasn't been reported in The Oklahoman.

disappointing when local, OKC stories have to be covered by the nation's largest newspaper and not a mention on the local media. I wonder if this was by design (since it's union focused) or if the OKC media is truly that incompetent (aside from OKC Talk of course).

NYP is a tabloid. And certainly not the largest paper in the United States. Whoever told you that should be slapped.

I doubt it has anything to do with unions and everything with how much local media has declined recently. OU football, which is probably the biggest story in the state, suspended a starting tackle on Wednesday and it still hasn't been reported in The Oklahoman.

It was an academic two game suspension so not that big of a story in my opinion. He gets his grade up he will be back. Also, Tyler Guyton may be as good as him anyways.

It was an academic two game suspension so not that big of a story in my opinion. He gets his grade up he will be back. Also, Tyler Guyton may be as good as him anyways.

I'm not concerned about the suspension. I'm concerned about the lack of coverage. There was still no mention of it in Saturday's Oklahoman.

NYP is a tabloid. And certainly not the largest paper in the United States. Whoever told you that should be slapped.

that;s even more of a slap on local media, a New York city 'tabloid' reports local stories better than the Oklahoman. ...

The national news hasn't really been covering the Apple unionization movement either. As soon as the pandemic eased and the labor market became a little bit more favorable to employers. The union movement within Apple lost steam.

Unions are forming at Starbucks, Apple and Google. Here’s why workers are organizing now
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/05/why-starbucks-apple-and-google-are-unionizing-now-for-the-first-time.html
PUBLISHED FRI, AUG 5 20229:00 AM EDT
For decades, union membership has been on the decline. Yet in the last few months, workers have been organizing at a pace this country hasn’t seen since the Great Depression....

Apple increasing anti union pressure in OKC.

https://freepressokc.com/apple-steps-up-union-busting-effort-in-okc-apple-store/

Not sure why anyone would want to work in retail long enough for a union to matter one way or the other.

Not sure why anyone would want to work in retail long enough for a union to matter one way or the other.

My sisters husband is a regional manager for Belk out in NC and dude makes over 6 figures with no degree and he started at the bottom but I'm sure he is the minority as far as retail goes

Not sure why anyone would want to work in retail long enough for a union to matter one way or the other.

What a strange comment. So because someone is still working their way up in life, or are comfortable with what they do, they should not receive fair treatment from their employer or be allowed to organize with their coworkers as one entity?

There are plenty of reasons people stay in lower jobs in the economy, and their reasons for doing so are no one's business but their own. Unions in the workplace drive positive changes that are good for people who are working their way up in the forms of higher pay and job security which can lead to less reliance on two jobs, better scheduling practices, etc. -- all of which foster an environment which someone will possibly be more successful while furthering their education.

Besides, why is it such a sin for someone to just have a comfortable life? I have worked my "entry level" job for nearly 11 years now. I am eligible for several promotions, and I have been approached by managers in multiple departments for a promotion. I am happy with what I do. I have a great balance of flexibility, pay, and benefits. Why mess with a good thing? I am fine with my entry-level job. I have made over $100k a year for 2 years in a row now. I made it through all of 3 months of college. My base pay is about $70k a year. Why is that so offensive? Unions allow people to live decent lives.

Its kind of funny to see some non-union Starbucks employees make more than their new unionized colleagues because Starbucks increased their pay but the union members are stuck with a longer term and lower paying contract. Its also funny to see what are considered to be really good retail jobs like Starbucks and Apple, who pay higher and have better benefits than most, are the ones that are targets for unionizing.

Its kind of funny to see some non-union Starbucks employees make more than their new unionized colleagues because Starbucks increased their pay but the union members are stuck with a longer term and lower paying contract. Its also funny to see what are considered to be really good retail jobs like Starbucks and Apple, who pay higher and have better benefits than most, are the ones that are targets for unionizing.

when you say "better" benefits do you mean the health insurance you pay for out of your paycheck and maybe a 401k that is matched with the average of 6% and paying out of pocket for dental and vision.

People need to stop using the term benefits because paying for your own retirement and healthcare is not a benefit.

The days of company paid pension retirement is over unless you work for a city, county, state, feds, or military and the military having the best benefits of any job that you get on day 1.

Its kind of funny to see some non-union Starbucks employees make more than their new unionized colleagues because Starbucks increased their pay but the union members are stuck with a longer term and lower paying contract.

So you think that a huge, highly profitable corporation punishing its employees because they want to organize to get better pay and benefits is funny? Did you root for Goliath against David? With the wealth gap ever expanding in the US, the return of unions would help to give workers a chance to make a decent living and expand the shrinking middle class.

So you think that a huge, highly profitable corporation punishing its employees because they want to organize to get better pay and benefits is funny? Did you root for Goliath against David? With the wealth gap ever expanding in the US, the return of unions would help to give workers a chance to make a decent living and expand the shrinking middle class.

it is not "punishing" it is called bargaining ... and when employees unionize they create the adversarial relationship ..

when you say "better" benefits do you mean the health insurance you pay for out of your paycheck and maybe a 401k that is matched with the average of 6% and paying out of pocket for dental and vision.

People need to stop using the term benefits because paying for your own retirement and healthcare is not a benefit.

The days of company paid pension retirement is over unless you work for a city, county, state, feds, or military and the military having the best benefits of any job that you get on day 1.

I just know of people in the past who worked for Starbucks, even part time, just because the pay and benefits were good. Maybe thats changed. I suspect Starbucks is still in the very top echelon of retail in regards to pay and benefits, which is why I think its odd they are a union target.


So you think that a huge, highly profitable corporation punishing its employees because they want to organize to get better pay and benefits is funny? Did you root for Goliath against David? With the wealth gap ever expanding in the US, the return of unions would help to give workers a chance to make a decent living and expand the shrinking middle class.

You really stretched out what I said into something very different. Didnt say anything about punishing employees and Im unaware of that happening. I just said it was funny that some of those who unionized were getting lower pay than non-union employees because they were stuck with an old contract. With the pace of change in the work environment in last couple years and pay increasing quickly, non-union were able to see that pay increase quicker vs those held to a contract that wouldnt expire for a while. Basically Im saying be careful what you wish for. I couldnt care less if apple or starbucks employees decide to unionize.

Also, lower paid workers have had it pretty nice in the last year in regards to their pay and demand for their labor.

You really stretched out what I said into something very different. Didnt say anything about punishing employees and Im unaware of that happening. I just said it was funny that some of those who unionized were getting lower pay than non-union employees because they were stuck with an old contract. With the pace of change in the work environment in last couple years and pay increasing quickly, non-union were able to see that pay increase quicker vs those held to a contract that wouldnt expire for a while. Basically Im saying be careful what you wish for. I couldnt care less if apple or starbucks employees decide to unionize.

The employees at the unionized shops don't have a contract. In fact, only 3 shops are even negotiating a contract. Starbucks is using classic union busting tactics. They reward the the non-union shops and punish the unionized shops by not giving them the same benefits. To me, this shows the value of a union. Do you really think Starbucks would've added the new benefits if it weren't for the threat of all of their shops becoming union shops? They clearly had the means to up the benefits , but didn't until they felt they needed to use them as a weapon (if you stay non-union we'll reward you, if not you'll be left out). And remember, without a contract these new benefits could be dropped at any time.

Here is a good read on the situation:

https://www.npr.org/2022/10/02/1124680518/starbucks-union-busting-howard-schultz-nlrb

"Under its legendary CEO Howard Schultz, who returned to lead Starbucks in April, the company has taken a wide array of measures to aggressively fight the union — from blanketing employee communications with anti-union messaging, including in one-on-one meetings, to announcing raises and benefits for nonunion stores only, to firing workers identified as union leaders.

Starbucks has forged ahead with these actions despite being charged with violating the federal labor law that protects workers' rights to organize. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is tasked with investigating the more than 325 unfair labor practice charges brought by the union."

After leaving the military it seemed that every civilian job had a rule that employees could not talk about how much they are being paid which I later found out is completely illegal for a company to have a rule saying employees cannot talk about how much they are getting paid.

I hate all big corporate publicly traded for profit businesses they can all go to hell

The OKC Store has voted to unionize. Only the second in the nation.

https://nyti.ms/3CAy7a3

Can see this coming back to bite the employees there. Or the store and OKC as a whole.

Bernie Sanders congratulated the OKC Apple Store which is pretty cool: https://twitter.com/sensanders/status/1581108430613270529?s=46&t=-HsdfGF7kFNvyVMRJXibsw

So could Apple close that store and re-open in, say, Classen Curve or would the union remain in place at a new OKC location?

Congratulations to my new union brothers and sisters at the OKC Apple Store!

I'm wondering if they will pull a Walmart move and close the OKC store along with others in small to midsize markets. They could call it in name of inflation and expenses. As it is Apple has plenty of retail and phone company partners they could easily break leases or move the entire company online. I predict the retail industry is going to be hit hard with layoffs and store closures after the holidays. At the very least we will see store closures at underperforming stores just get the stores fully staffed.

Apple could also opt sell off their retail operation to a contract company just like AT&T does at many of their stores.

That Apple store is absolutely swamped almost all day, every day.

They just spent a small fortune renovating it and recently filed plans to do a bathroom upgrade.

Not to mention, if they were to close a busy store right after unionization there would be a big backlash and PR nightmare.

In a deeply red state with right to work laws on the books, this is a win for unions and workers. I guess there's still a lingering populist vein in Oklahoma. Ya love to see it!

What a strange comment. So because someone is still working their way up in life, or are comfortable with what they do, they should not receive fair treatment from their employer or be allowed to organize with their coworkers as one entity?

There are plenty of reasons people stay in lower jobs in the economy, and their reasons for doing so are no one's business but their own. Unions in the workplace drive positive changes that are good for people who are working their way up in the forms of higher pay and job security which can lead to less reliance on two jobs, better scheduling practices, etc. -- all of which foster an environment which someone will possibly be more successful while furthering their education.

Besides, why is it such a sin for someone to just have a comfortable life? I have worked my "entry level" job for nearly 11 years now. I am eligible for several promotions, and I have been approached by managers in multiple departments for a promotion. I am happy with what I do. I have a great balance of flexibility, pay, and benefits. Why mess with a good thing? I am fine with my entry-level job. I have made over $100k a year for 2 years in a row now. I made it through all of 3 months of college. My base pay is about $70k a year. Why is that so offensive? Unions allow people to live decent lives.

I'd love to know what you do and see if you can hook me up. lol

I can't imagine a trillion dollar company, one of the largest companies on earth, being so afraid of a few Okies in a mall store that they have to shut down the location, turn tail and run.

Pretty large NY Times article on the OKC Apple store in today’s paper.

https://mobile.twitter.com/nytimesbusiness/status/1581405565166571520

I'm wondering if they will pull a Walmart move and close the OKC store along with others in small to midsize markets. They could call it in name of inflation and expenses. As it is Apple has plenty of retail and phone company partners they could easily break leases or move the entire company online. I predict the retail industry is going to be hit hard with layoffs and store closures after the holidays. At the very least we will see store closures at underperforming stores just get the stores fully staffed.

Apple could also opt sell off their retail operation to a contract company just like AT&T does at many of their stores.

That would pretty much go against everything Apple has every historically stood for. They like to keep very tight control over most aspects of their brand. Turning over their retail operations to a third party would be anathema to Apple.

17695

Like it or not, with capitalism, the duty of the company is to provide value to the shareholder, not the employee. If the employee wants to be a shareholder, they can benefit as well.

I thought Apple and Starbucks had some of the best pay/benefits around for this type of work (health insurance, college reimbursement, etc.).....

Like it or not, with capitalism, the duty of the company is to provide value to the shareholder, not the employee.

It is not an issue of providing value to shareholders OR giving your employees good pay and benefits. It is possible to do both. I know, I worked for forty years for a highly profitable, unionized company that did both.

It is not an issue of providing value to shareholders OR giving your employees good pay and benefits. It is possible to do both. I know, I worked for forty years for a highly profitable, unionized company that did both.

I think Apple has been good to their employees. Do they want more, that's fine. But from a strict economic standpoint, saying a company made too much money isn't how capitalism works.

I think the general public's problem with unions is that they believe they will be guaranteed 40 years of employment, which isn't likely in this technological warp-speed environment. Apple might not even be a market leader in 40 years.....I'd be interested to know if you worked for a manufacturing concern, or more of a modern retail-focused company like Apple or Starbucks.

I think Apple has been good to their employees. Do they want more, that's fine. But from a strict economic standpoint, saying a company made too much money isn't how capitalism works.


That may be because your analysis seems to stop at the company making a good amount of money. Companies are of course entitled to the profits they earn, but they still have to pay expenses. It's up to labor to be as big of an expense as it possibly can without killing the goose that laid the golden egg. Companies will pay the bare minimum they can for labor, labor is supposed to fight for its place at the table. That's what unions do. What's the harm in that if you're not a shareholder?

--and if you are a shareholder and union busting efforts have failed, what is there to do about it?

Oh yea they did. I was there reporting!

https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/311122746_1147912882775042_4989362381251600969_n.j pg?stp=dst-jpg_p280x280&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=ae9488&_nc_ohc=JGRSWk1hd7YAX_RNNtP&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=03_AdS2lYasnLs5-cXOIRxdgAY32Ly0KHdpLuM8SqxXiLmpFQ&oe=63749559

I think Apple has been good to their employees. Do they want more, that's fine. But from a strict economic standpoint, saying a company made too much money isn't how capitalism works.

I think the general public's problem with unions is that they believe they will be guaranteed 40 years of employment, which isn't likely in this technological warp-speed environment. Apple might not even be a market leader in 40 years.....I'd be interested to know if you worked for a manufacturing concern, or more of a modern retail-focused company like Apple or Starbucks.

Who said anything about a company making too much? I just said it is possible for a company to make money AND treat their employees well. And name me a union contract that guarantees 40 years of employment. That doesn't exist. I could've been fired or laid off at any time for just cause. It sounds like you don't know how unions work.

Can see this coming back to bite the employees there. Or the store and OKC as a whole.

No. Remember how all the people at Starbuck's were going to be fired? This will reflect just fine on OKC and will be good for those employees.

No. Remember how all the people at Starbuck's were going to be fired? This will reflect just fine on OKC and will be good for those employees.

Unfortunately, Starbucks did fire some of the union organizers. They are facing a complaint with the NLRB, though.

There are different types of Capitalism... There has been a shift away from Shareholder Capitalism and more towards Stakeholder Capitalism recently (not necessarily in OK).

So, based on Oklahoma’s right to work law, the dissenters are not required to join the union to maintain employment at the store?

Seems like there will be a bit of a free rider problem at some point, if not immediately?

A dues objector typically will still have to pay a nominal administrative fee to maintain their place on the seniority roster. This is usually a few bucks a month or quarter, in return the union will provide you zero representation in disciplinary matters and very little assistance in furloughs and recalls. . So yes they get some of the benefits of the union but not all. The union will not represent you in a termination case, where with a union the company cannot discipline you in any way without a fair arbitration session with a shop steward present. Termination requires disciplinary steps to be taken prior to reaching a termination, except for in cases of severe violations. For example theft or any matter where law enforcement is involved. As a dues objector in an at will state the company can terminate you on the spot for any or no reason, with no hearing and no right to appeal or due process. A union protects you from unfair practices such as that.

They should not have to pay anything at all --- doesn't our right to work law prohibit that?

A dues objector typically will still have to pay a nominal administrative fee to maintain their place on the seniority roster. This is usually a few bucks a month or quarter, in return the union will provide you zero representation in disciplinary matters and very little assistance in furloughs and recalls. . So yes they get some of the benefits of the union but not all. The union will not represent you in a termination case, where with a union the company cannot discipline you in any way without a fair arbitration session with a shop steward present. Termination requires disciplinary steps to be taken prior to reaching a termination, except for in cases of severe violations. For example theft or any matter where law enforcement is involved. As a dues objector in an at will state the company can terminate you on the spot for any or no reason, with no hearing and no right to appeal or due process. A union protects you from unfair practices such as that.

Doesn't our right to work laws prohibit the requiring of having them pay any kind of fee to the union if they do not wish to join?

I worked in a closed shop union manufacturing plant in OKC for 26 years, 1976 to 2002. IBEW. Everyone had to pay dues but you didn't have to join the union. And the union still had to represent everyone, union member or not in all aspects of the job.

38 years on the ATSF/BNSF, a closed shop. The anti union people would love for members to opt out of their dues, but still have the union protect them at investigations for rules infractions, or train wrecks. And many of my fellow Oklahoma trainmen would love to not pay dues, like ignoring tolls on the Turnpike to Tulsa, etc. But the ‘right to work’ only applies to in state companies. Interstate, like Apple, or the BNSF doesn’t count. Allowing workers to opt out of their dues, from the union that got them the hourly wage, vacation, holiday pay, time and one half for being away from the family on Sunday, or Christmas, is only union busting, nothing more.

I've been covering it since the beginning, and I will continue to cover it. I'll cover any labor related stories.

The restriction is (in relevant part) "No person shall be required, as a condition of employment or continuation of employment, to: (3.) Pay any dues, fees, assessments, or other charges of any kind or amount to a labor organization." (Okla. Const. art. 23, § 1A[pdf] (https://oksenate.gov/sites/default/files/2019-12/oc23.pdf))

I think the person you are responding to is referring to a fee for being placed on the Union's seniority roster. Generally, calculating vacations, pensions, pay checks, and other benefits, layoffs and recalls, job bidding, and available shifts are offered based on Seniority. The Union obviously wouldn't want the Employer to be able to provide "better" benefits to non-Union employees than to union members. There are also agreed upon regulations around how seniority is calculated and how to resolve seniority conflicts between employees. My understanding is that this administrative work has a small maintenance fee that, if non-Union employees want to pay, the Union will add the non-Union employee to the seniority roster.

https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/03/unionized-maryland-apple-store-negotiations/

So now I have to tip the Apple Store employee? Geesh....

https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/03/unionized-maryland-apple-store-negotiations/

So now I have to tip the Apple Store employee? Geesh....


Employee representatives have requested raises of up to 10 percent and they want Apple to implement a tipping system that would provide customers with the option to offer 3%, 5%, or custom tips when checking out with an in-store credit card transaction. "This will allow thankful patrons the ability to express gratitude for a job well done without any obligations," the union said. Tip money would be split among employees based on hours worked.

Only if you think having the option to tip makes it required.

Options for 3% or 5% indicates to IMHO that they know they are kind of pushing adding a tip for retail services. But, if they spend the time trouble shooting your device and fixing it....tip may be appropriate.

I was at the drive through daiquiri shop in South Padre this last weekend and the tip options were 20%, 50% and 100%. I guess they are counting on the tight shorts and low cut shirts to entice all the guys tip more.

Tipping is out of control.

I used to feel bad. Not anymore. Unless it's full service restaurant it's not happening.

This is a whole other level though. These people, I would assume, are on salary. If not, their hourly rates are probably pretty good. They are doing their job helping you out.

It's a way of shifting pay to the consumer.

I absolutely hate being prompted to give a tip at the counter when 1) you have yet to receive any service other than taking your order; and 2) the employee is standing right there watching.

It's completely contrary to the whole idea of tipping and and I avoid places that use that approach.

Paid my yard weed/fertilizer bill online today and was prompted for a tip to the worker who did the application.:rolleyes: