Apple accused of discriminating against unionized Towson workers [U]

Update, April 28 1:12 a.m. ET: Apple reached out to 9to5Mac with more information, which you can find below the original post.

Following Apple’s decision to close its first-ever unionized store, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board. Here are the details.

Apple accused of union busting

Earlier this month, Apple announced its decision to close three stores: Apple Towson Town Center in Towson (MD), Apple North County in Escondido (CA), and Apple Trumbull in Trumbull (CT).

In all three cases, the company said it had reached the decision after citing declining conditions and the departure of other retailers at the malls where the stores are located.

After the news broke, the decision to shut down Apple Towson Town Center quickly drew the most attention, as it was the first Apple retail store in the U.S. to unionize.

Additionally, Apple said employees at the Trumbull and North County stores would be able to continue their roles at nearby locations, while Towson workers would instead be “eligible to apply for open roles at Apple in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.”

In light of that, the IAM Union pushed back, saying the move raised “serious concerns” that the closure was a “cynical attempt to bust the union.” IAM Union also said it would explore “all legal options and will work with elected officials and allies to hold Apple accountable.”

Today, the IAM Union filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing Apple of discriminating against Towson employees by refusing to let them transfer to other locations.

From the charge document:

On April 9, 2026, Apple announced the closure of its store located at the Towson Town Center […]. Since that date, it has denied the Towson employees, who are represented by the IAM, from availing themselves of transfer rights and other opportunities provided to non-represented employees impacted by store closures at other locations. By these, and other actions taken in retaliation for protected activity under the Act, Apple has discriminated against IAM-represented workers in regard to their terms and conditions of employment in order to discourage them from exercising their rights under the Act.

In addition to the filing, the IAM Union also held a press conference earlier today, during which it reiterated its call on Apple to “reverse course and treat Towson workers fairly.”

IAM Union International President Brian Bryant added:

“This is about whether workers are treated fairly under the law or punished for exercising their rights. […] Apple is denying union-represented workers the same opportunities it is giving to others — and doing so because these workers chose to organize. That is discrimination, and it is exactly what federal labor law is designed to prevent.”

You can read IAM Union’s unfair labor practice charge below:

Update, April 28, 1:12 a.m. ET: In a statement to 9to5Mac, Apple said:

We strongly disagree with the claims made, and we will continue to abide by the agreement that was negotiated and agreed with the union. We look forward to presenting all of the facts to the NLRB.

The company added that, under the negotiated terms with the union, a store or mall closure would result in employees being transferred to another Apple Store within 50 miles from the original Towson store, or receiving severance if not. Apple also said that while it currently has no plans to open another store in the area, former Towson employees would be given the right of first refusal to fill those roles before they are offered more broadly.

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