Apple to Close First Unionized Store in Maryland and Two Others
Apple will permanently close its retail store at Towson Town Center mall in Maryland in June, marking its first U.S. location where employees unionized in 2022, citing mall tenant departures and deteriorating conditions as reasons. The company will also shutter outlets at Connecticut’s Trumbull Mall and California’s North County Mall, with Towson staff eligible to apply for other roles but not offered direct transfers, prompting union allegations of "cynical" union-busting.
1. Store Closures Announcement
Apple has informed staff that its Towson, Maryland store will permanently shut in June due to the departure of several mall retailers and deteriorating foot traffic. In addition to Towson, outlets at Trumbull Mall in Connecticut and North County Mall in California will also close the same month.
2. Unionization Context
The Towson store became the first U.S. Apple retail location to unionize when over 100 employees voted to join the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers in 2022. That milestone drew national attention to labor efforts at major technology employers.
3. Employee Impact and Union Response
While employees at the two nonunion stores will be offered transfers to nearby locations, Towson staff are only eligible to apply for open roles under the collective bargaining agreement. The IAM union has condemned the move as a cynical attempt to bust the union and is exploring legal options.