IAM Union Files Lawsuit Against Apple for Towson Store Closure

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union has officially filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge against Apple. The IAM Union represents the employees working at Apple’s soon-to-be-closed retail store in Towson, Maryland. In a filing on Monday, the union accused Apple of unlawful discrimination against unionized workers. The Towson store became the first US Apple retail location to unionize in 2022.

Apple recently announced plans to close its Towson retail location along with two others in Connecticut and California. These stores are situated in struggling shopping malls with declining foot traffic, leading to the decision to shut them down. Typically, when Apple closes a store, it offers affected workers the opportunity to move to positions at other nearby retail locations. However, in the case of the Towson store, Apple claims that union rules are hindering this process. Instead, Apple has stated that employees from the Towson location are eligible to apply for open roles at Apple in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.

Upon Apple’s announcement, the IAM Union expressed outrage at the decision regarding the handling of Towson employees. The union accused Apple of union-busting tactics and highlighted that there is nothing in the store’s labor agreement preventing the relocation of employees to other stores.

In a statement, the IAM Union emphasized its displeasure with Apple’s actions, stating that the closure of the Towson store and the treatment of its unionized workers raise serious concerns. The union vowed to explore legal options and collaborate with elected officials and allies to hold Apple accountable for its decisions. The IAM Union also criticized Apple for allowing employees at non-union stores to transfer to other locations while forcing unionized employees at the Towson store to reapply for positions as external candidates.

IAM Union International President Brian Bryant condemned Apple’s actions as discriminatory, emphasizing that federal labor laws are designed to prevent such treatment of union-represented workers. Workers from the Towson location have reported difficulties in the reapplication process, with many being rejected without even being called for an interview. Additionally, those who have reached the interview stage have faced challenges, such as group interviews with individuals who have never worked at an Apple Store before.

The IAM Union has called on Apple to reverse its decision and allow Towson workers to transfer to other retail locations, similar to the treatment of employees at the other affected stores. In response, Apple has stated that it strongly disagrees with the claims made by the union and will abide by the negotiated agreement. Apple looks forward to presenting all the facts to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Apple has cited a severance clause in the contract that supposedly negates the right to protected transfer. However, the union argues that the clause is situational and that the criteria for its activation have not been met.