Apple launched its latest line of consumer products this summer--including those with technologies like GPS and touchscreens that were developed with tax dollars. At the same time, Bay Area activists attending the company's developers' conference in San Francisco called on Apple to be a good neighbor by paying its fair share of taxes and supporting good jobs for its subcontracted security officers.

The tech giant's security contractor, Security Industry Specialists (SIS), admits that more than half of its workers are part time with no benefits. Yet when security officers have spoken out about working conditions and expressed an interest in uniting together in a union, SIS allegedly responded by intimidating them and retaliating against the most vocal officers.

Paying its fair share in taxes: just one way that Bay Area activists would like to see Apple become a better neighbor.

Beyond its choice of an irresponsible security contractor, many of Apple's other decisions have a ripple effect on the surrounding community. For example, affordable housing activist Erin McElroy says revenues from Apple's billions in unpaid taxes could help lift up Bay Area families and improve the region's sagging infrastructure.

"We all want people to have good jobs and affordable housing and be healthy and safe. We want the system to run smoothly so all families can prosper. But we can't accomplish that without tech companies like Apple doing their part to contribute to the Bay Area's upkeep," says McElroy.

See the Washington Post's coverage of the issues here.