OpenAI gears up for a big announcement, and Apple Store workers authorize a strike
Last week was a whirlwind of activity for some Apple Store employees. Over the weekend, workers at Apple’s Towson, Maryland, store — the first Apple retail store to have a formally recognized union — voted to authorize a strike. While the date of the strike is still being determined, the union has been negotiating with Apple since January 2023 over work-life balance, unpredictable scheduling and wages, among other issues.
What’s at Stake for Apple Store Workers
The strike authorization vote is a significant development in the ongoing labor dispute between Apple Store workers and the company. The union has been pushing for improvements to working conditions, including more predictable scheduling, better wages, and enhanced benefits. While Apple has made some concessions in recent months, the union is seeking more substantial changes.
Key Issues in the Labor Dispute
- Work-life balance: Apple Store workers have complained about unpredictable scheduling, which can make it difficult for them to plan their personal lives.
- Wages: Workers are seeking higher wages to reflect the value they bring to the company.
- Benefits: The union is pushing for improved benefits, including better healthcare and retirement plans.
In other news, OpenAI has been gearing up for a major announcement. While rumors have circulated about the company releasing a Google search competitor, Sam Altman put those rumors to rest on Friday. However, OpenAI could announce at least a search feature within ChatGPT.
What Can We Expect from OpenAI’s Announcement?
- Search feature: OpenAI may announce a new search feature within ChatGPT, which would allow users to find information more easily.
- Other updates: The company may also reveal other updates or features that are currently in development.
To close out this episode of Equity, Haje took the reins with another Pitch Deck Teardown. This time, we’re highlighting Cloudsmith, which secured $15 million for its cloud platform. The startup’s 2021 round was the largest Series A for a company from Northern Ireland since 2005, so clearly they got a thing or two right.
What Made Cloudsmith Successful?
- Strong pitch deck: Cloudsmith’s pitch deck was well-received by investors, which helped secure funding.
- Clear vision: The startup had a clear vision for its cloud platform and was able to communicate that effectively to investors.
Equity is TechCrunch’s flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes over at Simplecast.
Rebecca Szkutak: Senior Reporter, Venture
Rebecca is a senior writer at TechCrunch that covers venture capital trends and startups. She previously covered the same beat for Forbes and the Venture Capital Journal.
Haje Jan Kamps: General Tech News and Hardware Expert
Haje (He/Him) is a general tech news and hardware expert at TechCrunch. He has founded several companies to varying degrees of success, spent a while in the VC world, and has been a journalist and TV producer since the dawn of his career. He wrote a book about pitching startups to investors, and you can find him on @Haje on Twitter, or at Haje.me for everything else.
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Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo and posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes over at Simplecast.
This episode was written by Rebecca Szkutak and Haje Jan Kamps. If you have any questions or comments about this episode, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to hear from you!
