On June 11 we reported that Information relating to complaints within a current lawsuit against Apple that began in 2013 were ordered by the court to be unsealed revealing that at least two Apple retail store workers complained directly to CEO Tim Cook about their policy of checking retail employees' bags saying that the security precaution was embarrassing and demeaning. More importantly, the unsealed document revealed that Cook forwarded the email to senior retail and human resources executives with the query, "Is this true?" The court filing didn't include what responses Cook received. Today Reuters reports that the case was just certified as a class-action by a federal judge.

We reported in June that "One worker, whose name was blacked out of the court filing, told Cook in a 2012 message that Apple managers "are required to treat 'valued' employees as criminals."

Reuters reports that "The ruling, from U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco, is part of a 2013 lawsuit alleging Apple should compensate thousands of store employees for the time taken to search their bags to ensure they did not steal any merchandise.

Plaintiffs Amanda Frlekin and Dean Pelle alleged that "screenings" or bag searches, designed to discourage theft, are conducted every time sales reps leave the store, including for meal breaks. Lawsuits from within Apple's ranks are rare."

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