Following Apple’s decision to close its first unionized store, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) 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 has decided 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 cited declining conditions and the departure of other retailers in the malls where the stores are located.
After the news broke, Apple’s decision to close Towson Town Center quickly gained the most attention because it was the first Apple retail store in the United States to consolidate.
In addition, Apple said employees at the Trumbull and North County stores will be able to continue in their roles at nearby locations, while Towson employees will be “eligible to apply for open roles at Apple in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.”
In light of this, the IAM Association pushed backsaid the move raised “serious concerns” that the closure was a “malicious attempt to disrupt the union”. The IAM Union also said it will “explore all legal options and work with elected officials and allies to hold Apple accountable.”
The IAM Community today given An unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board accuses Apple of discriminating against Towson workers by refusing to transfer them to other locations.
From the payment document:
On April 9, 2026, Apple announced the closing of its Towson Town Center store (…). Since that date, it has denied Towson workers represented by the IAM access to transfer rights and other opportunities afforded to unrepresented workers affected by store closings elsewhere. Because of these and other actions taken in retaliation for protected activity under the Act, Apple discriminated against employees representing IAM in their terms and conditions of employment to prevent 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 Call Apple “Reversing the Recommendation and Treating Towson Employees Fairly”.
IAM Union International President Brian Bryant added:
“It’s about whether workers are treated fairly under the law or punished for exercising their rights. (…) Apple is denying unionized workers the same opportunities as others — and it’s doing so because those workers choose to organize. It’s discriminatory and designed to circumvent federal labor law.”
You can read the IAM Union’s unfair labor practice accusation below:
It’s worth checking out on Amazon
FTC: We use automatic affiliate links that generate income. More.
