Fruit Stand Workers United, the union trying to arrange Apple’s Grand Central Terminal retailer, says that if its drive succeeds it plans on pushing for a $30 an hour minimal wage for the situation’s staff (via CNBC). The union updated its website on Monday with its targets, together with the wage improve, well being and security analysis, and higher training and retirement advantages.

A $30 minimal wage signifies that a full-time worker would begin off making roughly $62,000 a 12 months. The union additionally desires pay calculated utilizing a “matrix based on role, tenure, and performance.”

Fruit Stand Workers United says it additionally desires to barter for will increase in trip time accrual, 401(okay) matching charges, and tuition reimbursement in addition to extra choices for retirement, comparable to pension plans. The union additionally calls on Apple to “conduct research into security protocols with customer interactions, and research into track dust, health effects from building materials, and noise pollution at Grand Central.”

In main cities like New York, there’s vital concern round vehicle-related pollution, comparable to brake dust and exhaust fumes. And whereas noise air pollution is a matter for almost all New York residents, it seems to be a specific concern for workers of a retailer situated in one of many metropolis’s busiest rail terminals.

While the positioning doesn’t explicitly point out COVID-19 within the part about well being and security, Apple has made many modifications to its retailer operations all through the course of the pandemic, each opening and shutting its retail places and instating, eradicating, and reinstating masks mandates for patrons. In Texas, Apple reportedly quickly closed a retailer when three employees examined constructive shortly after Black Friday.

Last week, Fruit Stand Workers United introduced that it began having staff signal playing cards to say they’re considering becoming a member of a union. If over 30 % of employees on the location signal, Fruit Stand Workers United can formally petition the National Labor Relations Board to carry an election.

The formidable calls for come amid a surge of organizing efforts at each tech and retail corporations. Amazon warehouse employees in New York voted to unionize earlier this month, and staff at a number of Starbucks places have also voted for worker representation. (According to its website, Fruit Stand Workers United is affiliated with the union behind the efforts at Starbucks.)

In simply the previous few weeks, contractors for Google Fiber and employees at two Verizon retail locations have additionally voted to unionize. Verizon announced yesterday that it was elevating its minimal wage to $20 for retail and customer support employees with the caveat that, for retail employees, the $20 determine is the sum of their wage and “target commission.”