Tips in Retail Stores: Apple Under Pressure to Add Option to POS System
While tips are common in restaurants and bars in the US, it’s a rarity in regular shops. But that could change for Apple’s retail stores, at least in Maryland. The Towson Center Mall store, which gained union representation last year, is pushing for an option for tips to be included in the POS system. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is also demanding more pay for store workers, as well as changes in overtime, holiday regulations, and bereavement leave.
The union’s demand for tips and improved working conditions follows last summer’s long fight for recognition of the Towson store’s union. Apple initially tried to prevent the unionisation of its employees. The Towson store is significant to Apple as it was the first US store to have elected union representation. A second Apple retail store in Oklahoma City also voted in favour, but attempts in St. Louis and Atlanta failed.
In the U.S., workers decide for themselves whether they want union representation. Once a union has been elected, only this union can negotiate with the management, and all employees are bound by the results of their negotiations. Employees are often persuaded against union representation, but in the case of the Towson store, union members are now demanding more money to work on public holidays, holiday pay, and paid time off based on the number of years of service.
If the tip proposal is accepted, customers will get the chance to add 3%, 5%, or more, to their bill by credit card if they liked the service in Apple retail stores. The money collected will be paid out to members on a bi-weekly basis based on the hours worked.
