Apple store workers in France are currently on strike, demanding higher wages. This nationwide strike, involving approximately 2,100 workers, coincides with the release of Apple’s latest phone, the iPhone 15, in France. Despite the picket lines outside the stores, eager customers were determined to be among the first to purchase the new phone.
Even in the midst of heavy rain and strikes, around 40 shoppers braved the conditions to line up outside Apple’s flagship store in central Paris for the iPhone 15 release. Joining them were approximately the same number of Apple workers, holding placards and demanding better pay.
French labor unions are advocating for a 7% pay increase across the board for Apple store employees to offset rising inflation. Union leaders rejected Apple’s offer of an average 4.5% increase for employees in the country.
The offer by the U.S. tech giant falls below France’s current inflation rate of 4.9%.
The striking workers also want an end to the company’s months-long hiring freeze.
The main union for Apple employees in France, Cidre-CFTC, released a statement expressing their concerns:
“Apple has often been exemplary, and the majority of its employees are proud to work there. However, for the past few months, there has been a stalemate in dialogue. Mandatory annual negotiations have been disregarded without any substantial discussion during two meetings.”
This strike adds to the challenges faced by Apple’s operations in France.
Is the iPhone 12 banned in France?
Apple was forced to halt sales of its iPhone 12 in France earlier this month after it was discovered that the device exceeded the European Union’s safety threshold for radiation levels. France’s government minister for digital technology stated that Apple has agreed to make changes to ensure compliance with EU regulations in the future.
Apple has consistently maintained that the iPhone 12, which was introduced in 2020, is safe. The company attributed the test results in France to a specific testing protocol.
The French unions representing Apple store workers also believe that employees should receive a larger portion of the company’s substantial profits.
In June, Apple achieved a historic milestone on Wall Street as the first company to reach a market value exceeding $3 trillion, slightly surpassing France’s GDP of $2.78 trillion in 2022, according to the World Bank.
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