Apple Faces Union Protest Over Towson Closure

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has held a protest against Apple’s decision to close its Towson, Maryland, retail location, which was the first Apple Store in the United States to unionize [3]. The closure, scheduled for June 2026, has sparked a legal dispute over employee transfer rights and drawn scrutiny from federal lawmakers [1][2].

Key takeaways

• Apple plans to close its Towson, Maryland store in June 2026, affecting 78 employees [2][3].
• The IAM Union filed an unfair labor practice charge, claiming Apple denied transfer rights given to non-union workers at other closing stores [2].
• Nine members of Maryland’s congressional delegation sent a letter to Apple leadership demanding answers about the closure rationale and employee support [1].
• Apple states it is following the negotiated union agreement, which requires transfers only if a new store opens within 50 miles [1][2].

Dispute over employee transfer rights

Apple announced in April 2026 that it would close three stores located in struggling malls: Towson Town Center in Maryland, North County in California, and Trumbull in Connecticut [1][3]. While the company states the closures are due to the departure of several retailers and declining mall conditions, the Towson location has drawn specific attention because it became the first unionized Apple Store in the U.S. in 2022 [1][2]. The IAM Union argues that Apple is discriminating against these unionized workers by denying them the transfer opportunities offered to employees at the non-union California and Connecticut locations [2]. Apple contends that the collective bargaining agreement only mandates transfers or rehiring if a new store opens within 50 miles of the current site, otherwise offering severance [1][2].

Political and community response

Following the announcement, the IAM Union filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board and organized a protest that included Maryland political leaders [2][3]. The union claims the closure impacts 78 employees and has started a petition targeting Apple with letters demanding the company keep its commitment to the community [2]. Additionally, a group of nine U.S. Senators and Representatives from Maryland, including Rep. Johnny Olszewski and Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook and incoming CEO John Ternus [1]. They pressed the company for a clearer understanding of the rationale behind the decision and asked it to reconsider viable paths to preserve the jobs [1].

Why it matters

This conflict highlights ongoing tensions between Apple and organized labor as the company approaches a major leadership transition in September 2026 [2]. While Bloomberg Law reported the mall is 26% vacant, major tenants remain, and the union argues the closure disproportionately affects working-class residents who rely on public transit to access tech support [2]. The NLRB is set to hear the union's complaint regarding the alleged unfair labor practices, and a decision on the matter is pending [2].