Apple to Close Three Stores Including First Unionized U.S. Location, IAM Union Calls It Union Busting
Apple will permanently close three U.S. retail stores in June, including the Apple Towson Town Center in Maryland — the first Apple retail location in the United States to unionize. The IAM Union has called the closure a "cynical attempt to bust the union" and is exploring legal options.
The Three Stores Closing
| Store | Location | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Trumbull | Trumbull, CT | Mall defaulting on $150M loan, property for sale |
| Apple North County | Escondido, CA | Declining mall conditions |
| Apple Towson Town Center | Towson, MD | Declining mall + first unionized store |
The Union Controversy
Apple Towson Town Center workers unionized in 2022 under the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (IAM CORE). Apple's statement says Towson employees will be "eligible to apply for open roles in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement" — but the IAM Union disputes this:
"Apple's claim that the collective bargaining agreement prevents relocation is simply false and raises serious concerns that this closure is a cynical attempt to bust the union."
Meanwhile, employees at the non-union Trumbull and North County stores will simply continue their roles at nearby locations — a stark difference in treatment.
Broader Context
- Apple set an all-time revenue record last quarter
- The company has opened 11 new stores since 2025, including in Miami and Detroit
- Stores are being opened in Saudi Arabia for the first time
- All three closing stores are in struggling shopping malls that have lost major retailers
- Apple claims the decision is based solely on mall conditions, not union status
The differential treatment of union vs. non-union employees is likely to intensify scrutiny of Apple's labor practices and could set up a significant legal confrontation.