Apple is under scrutiny for its treatment of unionized retail workers following the closure of multiple U.S. stores. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging the company unlawfully discriminated against represented employees at its now-defunct Towson, Maryland location.
The Towson store, which employed nearly 90 workers, became the first Apple retail location to unionize in 2022. When Apple announced the closure of three U.S. stores—including Towson—in April 2024, IAM argued that the company failed to provide the same transfer opportunities to unionized staff as it did for non-unionized employees from other locations. Unlike their non-represented counterparts, Towson workers were reportedly told they had to reapply through the same process as external candidates.
IAM’s complaint states that Apple’s actions violate federal labor law by denying union workers equal opportunity. “Apple is denying union-represented workers the same opportunities it is giving to others—and doing so because these workers chose to organize,” the union stated. “That is discrimination, and it is exactly what federal labor law is designed to prevent.”
The dispute extends beyond Towson. Apple also shuttered stores in Trumbull, Connecticut, and Escondido, California. At the time of the closures, IAM called Apple’s claim that collective bargaining agreements prevented relocation “simply false,” suggesting the moves were an attempt to undermine the union.
The NLRB’s investigation will determine whether Apple’s actions constitute unlawful labor practices. This case adds to the broader tensions between tech companies and organized labor, particularly as more U.S. retail workers seek union representation.
For now, Apple has not publicly responded to the allegations. The outcome of the NLRB complaint could set a precedent for how tech giants handle unionized workforces during store closures or restructuring.
AI summary
Uluslararası Makine ve Havacılık İşçileri Sendikası, Apple'ın sendikalı çalışanlarına karşı hukuka aykırı ayrımcılık yaptığını iddia etti. Apple'ın sendikalı çalışanlarına eşit fırsatlar sunması için baskı artıyor.
