'It feels like a betrayal': anger as Apple to close its first unionized store in the US [View all]
Source: The Guardian
Tech giant accused of ‘cynical attempt to bust the union’ in decision to shutter location in Towson, Maryland
Michael Sainato
Tue 28 Apr 2026 11.00 EDT
Workers at the first Apple store to unionize in the US are pushing back against the company’s decision to shut it down by June, alleging that Apple’s decision is rooted in “a cynical attempt to bust the union”.
On Monday, the union filed an unfair labor practice charge against Apple, alleging unionized employees at the store in Towson, Maryland, are being denied transfer rights and other rights compared with workers at non-unionized stores. The union is also alleging retaliation for being unionized.
According to the union, Apple claims the collective bargaining agreement prevents relocation, a claim the union says is “simply false, and raises serious concerns that this closure is a cynical attempt to bust the union”, the union said in a statement.
Apple denied the claims in the charge. “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 [National Labor Relations Board],” a spokesperson said in an email.
The Apple Store in Towson, Maryland, which is due to be shut down by June. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/28/apple-closes-first-union-store-maryland
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