Apple is facing growing pressure from lawmakers over its decision to close the Apple Towson Town Center store in Maryland, which became the first Apple retail location in the United States to unionize in 2022. A group of 40 members of Congress has now asked Apple to reconsider the closure, arguing that the move could negatively affect nearly 100 employees and their families.
The lawmakers sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook and John Ternus, Apple’s incoming CEO, urging the company to explore alternatives that would keep the store open and preserve jobs. The letter argues that the closure raises concerns because the Towson location was the first Apple Store in the country to form a union through the IAM Union.
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Members of Congress claim the decision appears to be part of a broader effort to discourage union activity. They also warned that any retaliation against workers for organizing would violate federal labor laws and could qualify as an unfair labor practice.
Dispute Over Employee Transfers
A major point of disagreement involves transfer opportunities for affected workers. The IAM Union argues that employees at the Towson store are not receiving the same relocation options that Apple has offered at other closing retail locations.
Apple maintains that it is following the terms of its negotiated union contract, which guarantees transfers only within 50 miles of the Towson store. The company has also offered severance packages and agreed to give affected workers priority consideration if Apple opens a new store within that distance.
The Towson store is scheduled to close on June 20. While lawmakers continue to push for a different outcome, Apple has not publicly responded to the latest congressional letter.
The dispute is likely headed toward a legal battle, where regulators or courts will determine whether the closure reflects a legitimate business decision or unlawful retaliation against a unionized workforce.
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