Apple Computer Inc has so disaffected professional employees in California with its decision to decimate its workforce that a group of them has come together as Employees for One Apple to consider pressing the company to accept collective bargaining. Employee organisations are well-nigh unheard of in Silicon Valley, but the fact that about 10% of Apple’s 15,000 or so employees are having to pay with their jobs for what are being seen by some as mis-steps by the company’s top management. As well as forming a trade union, the group is considering seeking a seat on the Apple board to win a say in the running of the company, or taking control of a block of Apple shares – or forming German-style works councils. The Wall Street Journal quotes leaders of the 500-strong group saying that a symbolic sacrifice such as a pay cut for John Sculley might be enough to quell the unrest.
