Apple to Close Towson Unionized Store in June, Shutter Two More Sites
Apple will close its first unionized store at Towson Town Center in June, along with stores in Trumbull, Connecticut and Escondido, California, citing retailer departures and declining mall conditions. Only Towson employees must apply for roles under the agreement, prompting the union to vow legal action over alleged union busting.
1. Planned Store Closures
Apple confirmed permanent June closures of its first U.S. unionized store at Towson Town Center and two additional outlets in Trumbull Mall, Connecticut and Escondido, California, attributing the decisions to multiple retailer departures and deteriorating mall conditions such as a recent $150 million loan default at Trumbull Mall.
2. Employee Redeployment
Employees at the Trumbull and Escondido locations will transfer directly to nearby Apple retail sites, whereas Towson staff will only be eligible to apply for open positions in line with their collective bargaining agreement.
3. Union Allegations
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers denounced the Towson closure as a deliberate anti-union maneuver, asserting that the agreement does permit relocations and pledging legal challenges as well as coordination with elected officials.
4. Retail Expansion Context
Despite these targeted closures, Apple’s global retail footprint expanded over the last year with 11 new store openings and 14 renovations or replacements, including two domestic launches and eight upgrades.