Union accuses Apple of unlawful discrimination against represented workers
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has accused Apple of unlawfully discriminating against unionized workers at its Towson, Maryland Apple Store following the closure of the location. The union claims Apple denied these employees transfer opportunities offered to non-unionized workers from other shuttered stores, requiring them to reapply like external candidates. IAM filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging the move violates federal labor law. Apple closed the Towson store along with two others in April 2026.
- ▪The IAM union filed an unfair labor practice charge against Apple with the National Labor Relations Board over alleged discrimination against unionized workers.
- ▪Apple closed its Towson, Maryland Apple Store, the first in the U.S. to unionize, along with locations in Trumbull, CT, and Escondido, CA.
- ▪Unionized employees from the Towson store were reportedly required to reapply for open positions instead of being offered internal transfers like non-unionized employees.
- ▪IAM alleges Apple’s justification that its collective bargaining agreement prevents relocations is false and may be an attempt to undermine the union.
- ▪The Towson Apple Store unionized in 2022 and employed nearly 90 workers at the time of closure.
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