The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has said it will challenge Apple's use of so-called captive audience meetings to discourage unionization, a long-standing practice among employers. We've gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other media outlets.

Meetings Were at Atlanta Store

The NLRB said Apple violated federal law at an Atlanta store in response to union efforts. The board's regional director for Atlanta reportedly found merit to allegations of captive audience meetings, coercive statements and interrogation. The regional director will issue a formal complaint if Apple doesn't settle. Apple has previously denied wrongdoing in a complaint with similar allegations about an Apple store in New York City.

If the NLRB succeeds in arguing against captive audience meetings in this case, it would be a change in precedent, as the meetings have previously not been considered a violation of law.

NLRB General Counsel Opposes Captive Audience Meetings

For more than 70 years, employers have had the right to convene captive audience meetings with employees about their statutory labor rights, including the right to refrain from forming unions. On April 7, NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo announced in a memo that she will ask the NLRB to find such mandatory meetings unlawful.

Communications Workers of America's Statement

"Holding an illegal forced captive audience meeting is not only union-busting, but an example of psychological warfare," said Tom Smith, the...

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