Workers at the first Apple store to unionize in the United States are pushing back against the company's decision to shut down the location by June, alleging the move is a "cynical attempt to bust the union." The store, located in Towson, Maryland, has been a focal point of labor organizing since employees voted to unionize in June 2022.
Unfair Labor Practice Charge Filed
On Monday, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) filed an unfair labor practice charge against Apple with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The union claims that unionized employees at the Towson store are being denied transfer rights and other benefits that are available to workers at non-unionized Apple stores. The union also alleges that the closure is a form of retaliation for unionizing.
According to the union, Apple has argued that the collective bargaining agreement prevents relocation of employees. The union calls this claim "simply false" and raises "serious concerns that this closure is a cynical attempt to bust the union."
Apple Denies Allegations
Apple has denied the claims. "We strongly disagree with the claims made, and we will continue to abide by the agreement that was negotiated and agreed with the union. We look forward to presenting all of the facts to the NLRB," a company spokesperson said in an email.
An Apple spokesperson also stated that the collective bargaining agreement prohibits the transfer rights offered to other stores, claiming that transfer rights are limited if Apple opens a new store within 50 miles. The spokesperson added, "Following the departure of several retailers and declining conditions at Trumbull Mall, the Shops at North County, and Towson Town Center, we've made the difficult decision to close our stores at these locations. Our team members at Trumbull and North County will continue their roles at nearby Apple retail stores. Towson employees will be eligible to apply for open roles at Apple in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement."
Union Calls for Reversal
The union is calling on Apple to reverse the closure decision and is urging customers to support their effort. They have also asked people to contact Apple's board of directors.
"This is about whether workers are treated fairly under the law or punished for exercising their rights," said Brian Bryant, international president of the IAM union. "Apple is denying union-represented workers the same opportunities it is giving to others – and doing so because these workers chose to organize. That is discrimination, and it is exactly what federal labor law is designed to prevent."
Workers' Voices
Eric Brown, an Apple store employee, shared his experience: "This job is more than a job. This is a family to us. There's a reason why, on your last day, we clap you out and wish you a fond farewell, and we say that we're losing a family. There are people that we built real relationships with, not just showing up to work every day and working side by side. I met my partner there, and we're having another child next month. So this is a huge impact."
Brown said the tactic of shutting down a store to avoid dealing with a union was a concern at the bargaining table, and the union had ensured transfer protections were in place. "It feels like a betrayal," he added. "Financially, we were doing fine. Foot traffic, we're doing fine. So there's no other reason to shut us down than to basically bust up the union."
Courtney Jenkins, president of the Metropolitan Baltimore AFL-CIO, criticized the treatment of the unionized workers and the store closure, noting that the Towson Apple store is the only local store accessible by public transit. "This isn't just about jobs. It's about equity, it's about access, and it's about whether one of the wealthiest corporations in human history is willing to turn its back on both," said Jenkins. "Our goal is clear: relocation, not resignation. Our sisters and brothers in the machinists' union deserve to keep their jobs, and our community deserves to keep this valuable resource."
Background on Unionization
Nearly 90 workers at the Towson store won their union election in June 2022 to join the IAM Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (IAM Core). Before the election, Eric Brown told the Guardian: "We're trying to make changes to actually have a right to a say in our workplace conditions, in how we're treated, with pay, and policy changes." Workers faced delays in bargaining for a first union contract with Apple, which has opposed unionization and settled several unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB alleging labor law violations. A first union contract was reached in August 2024.
Now, Brown and his co-workers are facing layoffs due to the store closure and are being forced to reapply for positions elsewhere rather than being transferred. The union and workers continue to fight for their rights, seeking justice and fair treatment from one of the world's most valuable companies.
