'Ethical' iPhone petitions delivered

NEW YORK, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Activists have delivered petitions to several of Apple's U.S. stories calling for more ethical standards in the creation of the company's popular products.

A quarter of a million petitions were delivered to Apple's Grand Central Terminal flagship store in Manhattan, and petitions were also delivered to its largest store in San Francisco and several other stores Thursday.

Watchdog groups SumofUS and Change.org organized the petition drive calling for Apple to demand its suppliers, especially those in China, improve conditions for its workers and bring them to the levels it requires in the United States.

Apple has come under criticism for the poor record of labor and safety issues at its supplier facilities.

Apple said it already conducts efforts to improve working conditions at its foreign suppliers and subcontractors.

"We care about every worker in our worldwide supply chain," an Apple representative told CNET. "We insist that our suppliers provide safe working conditions, treat workers with dignity and respect, and use environmentally responsible manufacturing processes wherever Apple products are made.

"Our suppliers must live up to these requirements if they want to keep doing business with Apple."

The U.S. delivery of petitions was part of a global effort that included petitions sent to stores in Bangalore in India, London and Sydney, CNET reported.