Maryland Lawmakers Challenge Apple’s Decision to Close Unionized Towson Store
In a significant development, nine members of the U.S. Congress from Maryland have expressed deep concern over Apple’s recent announcement to permanently close its Towson Town Center retail store on June 20, 2026. This store holds historical significance as the first Apple retail location in the United States to successfully unionize in 2022.
In a letter addressed to Apple CEO Tim Cook and hardware engineering chief John Ternus, the lawmakers emphasized the store’s strong performance and recent workforce expansion. They questioned the rationale behind the closure, especially given the absence of plans to establish a replacement store within the Baltimore region. The letter stated:
We recognize that decisions of this scale involve complex business considerations. However, we urge Apple to reconsider whether there are viable paths forward that would preserve jobs and maintain a retail presence in the region. Maryland residents value employers who invest in their workforce and demonstrate a sustained commitment to the communities they serve. We stand ready to engage constructively with Apple to better understand this decision and to explore potential solutions.
Apple has cited declining conditions at the Towson Town Center, including the departure of several retailers and reduced foot traffic, as primary reasons for the closure. The company stated that the safety of customers and employees remains its top priority. While employees at other closing stores are being offered transfers to nearby locations, Towson workers, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), must apply for open positions elsewhere under the terms of their collective bargaining agreement.
The IAM union has responded by filing an Unfair Labor Practice charge against Apple, alleging unlawful discrimination against unionized workers. The union contends that Apple is treating the Towson staff differently by making it harder for them to stay with the company, which they view as a retaliatory action against their unionization efforts.
This situation has garnered significant attention, with various stakeholders questioning the motives behind the closure and advocating for the preservation of jobs and retail presence in the region.
