Maryland Governor Urges Apple to Reconsider Towson Store Closure Amid Union Dispute
In a significant development, Maryland Governor Wes Moore has publicly urged Apple to reconsider its decision to close the Towson Town Center store, the company’s first unionized retail location in the United States. This appeal adds to the growing chorus of voices expressing concern over the implications of the store’s impending closure.
Background on the Towson Store Closure
In April 2026, Apple announced plans to permanently close three of its retail stores: Towson Town Center in Maryland, North County in California, and Trumbull in Connecticut. The company cited declining mall conditions and the departure of other retailers as primary reasons for these closures. However, the decision to shut down the Towson store has been particularly contentious due to its status as the first Apple retail location in the U.S. to unionize in 2022.
Union’s Response and Allegations
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union, representing the Towson employees, has strongly opposed Apple’s handling of the closure. The union alleges that Apple is discriminating against unionized workers by offering them fewer relocation opportunities compared to employees at non-union stores. Specifically, while Apple claims that the union agreement only requires transfers within 50 miles of the Towson store, with severance offered otherwise, the IAM Union argues that Apple is denying them the broader relocation options available to employees at non-union stores.
Political Support for Towson Employees
The controversy has attracted attention from various political figures. Forty members of Congress recently sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook and future CEO John Ternus, urging the company to reconsider the store closure and explore alternatives that would preserve the jobs of nearly 100 employees. The letter emphasized the potential negative impact on workers and questioned whether the closure was related to the store’s union status.
Governor Wes Moore has now added his voice to the discussion, expressing support for the Towson workers. In his statement, Governor Moore highlighted the store’s significance to the local economy and community:
> The Towson Town Center Apple Store has been a retail anchor for the region since 2022. It’s provided good-paying jobs, increased economic activity, and been an important localized service hub for the region. As the first unionized Apple retail store in the country and a strong-performing location, its workers proved that economic growth and workers’ rights go hand-in-hand. Now, the rug is being pulled out from underneath them. These Marylanders deserve the same transfer rights and opportunities afforded to other Apple employees, and we stand with them.
Public Demonstrations and Union Actions
In response to the planned closure, the IAM Union organized a public rally on May 27, 2026, outside the Baltimore County Courthouse. The demonstration included employees, local elected officials, and labor leaders, all protesting what they perceive as discriminatory treatment of unionized workers. The union has also filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing Apple of unlawful discrimination against the Towson employees.
Apple’s Position and Future Implications
Apple has maintained that it is adhering to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement negotiated with the union. In a statement provided when the IAM Union filed the unfair labor practice charge, Apple stated:
> 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.
As the June 20 closure date approaches, the situation remains tense. The outcome of this dispute could have broader implications for labor relations within Apple and the tech industry at large, particularly concerning how companies engage with unionized workforces.
