Parisian Apple Store Staff Threaten To Strike On iPhone 5 Launch Day
by Joe White
September 19, 2012
Staff at two Parisian Apple Stores are threatening to strike on Friday, 21 September, regarding pay issues. If the planned industrial action isn't promptly resolved, the calculated strike could have the potential to disrupt the launch of the iPhone 5 in the two retail stores.
As Macworld UK reports:
After months on negotiations between store workers and management, staff at the Paris store are threatening to strike on Friday. The store workers are also wearing a bracelet with the word Believe on it as part of the protest. [...] The reason for the protest: Apple Store staff want pay rises, as well as a water fountain and lunch vouchers.Because the Apple Stores are located in expensive parts of Paris, the demand for lunch vouchers is being made in an attempt for the workers to compensate themselves after purchasing an expensive crêpe or baguette. It would seem packed lunches are out of the question. The report continues:
The discussions hinge on Apple’s salary grid and the disparity in pay for the same job. Added to that, the high cost of living in Paris means that Parisian workers are asking for higher pay than Apple Store workers elsewhere. There are 13 Apple Stores in the country; two are located in Paris. Amongst their demands for better working conditions are holiday vouchers and a “13thmonth” I this is the payment of a month’s basic salary paid at the end of the year, like a bonus. It’s common in France, but not mandated by law.Either the Apple Stores in question will limp through Friday (and, most likely, sack the aforementioned members of staff directly), or Apple will be forced to compromise, potentially giving in to the required demands. As a reminder, the iPhone 5 will launch in stores on Friday. But if you're not a fan of long, long queues, or of sleeping out overnight, remember that you can still preorder the handset online. Source: Mac Generation Via: Macworld UK
