In a groundbreaking development, employees at an Apple Retail Store located in Glasgow, Scotland, made a historic decision on Wednesday to unionize. This decision followed months of negotiations that ultimately led to Apple voluntarily recognizing the voting process. According to The Herald, employees at the Buchanan Avenue store, one of the two Apple locations in Scotland’s largest city, voted “overwhelmingly” in favor of joining the GMB Union. With this significant vote, this retail outlet is set to become the very first unionized Apple Store in the United Kingdom, marking a pivotal moment in labor relations within the tech retail industry.

While Apple has yet to respond to a request for comment from Engadget, the company stated, “We have long been dedicated to providing an excellent experience for our customers and teams,” as reported by The Herald. The tech giant emphasized its position as one of the highest-paying retailers in Scotland and mentioned ongoing enhancements to its industry-leading benefits, which reflect the comprehensive support it offers to its valued workforce members. This commitment to employee welfare is crucial as the landscape of labor rights continues to evolve.

This landmark decision is anticipated to inspire Apple Store employees at various retail locations throughout the UK to initiate their own labor movements. “This is a completely historic vote and a tribute to the hard work of activists and employees in Apple Glasgow,” stated GMB Organizer John Slaven, highlighting the importance of grassroots efforts in advancing workers’ rights.

As reported by The Herald, the negotiations in Glasgow were described by organizers as “consistently constructive.” In contrast, in the United States, Apple has faced allegations of employing union-busting strategies. Recently, in October, the National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint against Apple, stating that it found merit in claims made by the Communications Workers of America. This union accused Apple of interrogating employees at its World Trade Center store in New York City and subjecting them to mandatory anti-union meetings. Furthermore, organizers at the company’s Towson Town Center location, which is the first Apple Store to unionize in the US, reported that Apple was withholding benefits from its I AM CORE members, raising concerns about the company’s labor practices.