Glasgow Apple store workers have become the first in the UK to secure official union recognition.<br /><br />GMB union organiser John Slaven called it a "compelling new chapter in the trade-union story" being written around the world.<br /><br />Earlier this year, workers in the Maryland branch formed the first Apple retail union in the US.<br /><br />Glasgow's Buchanan Street Apple store staff previously said union recognition would be used to bid for higher wages.<br /><br />An Apple official told BBC News: "We have long been committed to providing an excellent experience for our customers and teams.<br /><br />"Apple is one of the highest-paying retailers in Scotland and we've regularly made enhancements to our industry-leading benefits as a part of the overall support we provide to our valued team members."<br /><br />In June, after joining the GMB and filing for voluntary union recognition, workers at the store told the Glasgow Evening Times they earned about £12 an hour.<br /><br />"People are suffering with the cost-of-living crisis," one said.<br /><br />"We need a pay rise, pay transparency and a voice."<br /><br />Mr Slaven said Wednesday's union-recognition ballot result was "testament to the hard work of the activists and workers" in the store.<br /><br />The two-thirds majority showed the union was "pro-worker and not anti-employer" and "trade unionism should be a normal and welcome feature of any workplace".<br /><br />The move comes amid increased unionisation efforts from workers worldwide at technology giants such as Activision Blizzard, Amazon and Google parent company Alphabet.<br /><br />Last month, Labour leader Keir Starmer urged Amazon to officially recognise GMB workers, after a strike ballot fell three votes short of a 50% threshold.
